March 5, 2009 – St. John residents got a brief preview Thursday of the Ken Burns film, "The National Parks: America's Best Idea," when the Friends of V.I. National Park and the National Parks Conservation Association held a screening at the Westin Resort and Villas. About 70 people attended.
"I hope we whetted your appetite some," Friends President Joe Kessler said.
Kessler said he hopes to get a longer preview to air in the summer.
The 12-part series will show in September on Public Television Station WTJX.
The preview highlighted spectacular footage of many national parks, including the nation's first, Yellowstone National Park. One segment showed bison barely moving in the snow-covered Yellowstone winter while a park ranger who once delivered mail in the park talked about the wonder of seeing the bison in the snow.
"It was one of those moments when you get pulled out of yourself into the moment," he said.
The Conservation Association, which advocates for all national parks, also showed clips on national parks as well as the making of the film.
"The National Parks: America's Best Idea" took Burns seven years to make, WTJX spokesman Yvette deLaubanque said. She said he got the idea after visiting a national park.
"He shot every national park," she said.
They included the national parks on St. John, St. Croix and Hassel Island.
WTJX plans activities aimed at engaging people in the national parks at their doorsteps.
"The people who live in communities are not engaged with national parks. It is the visitors," she pointed out.
Conservation Association Regional Director John Adornato said that one of the organization's goals is to involve students in national parks.
"We really want to get kids into parks," he said.
The screening provided an opportunity for St. John residents to quiz organization and park officials about park projects.
Paula Savel asked Park Superintendent Mark Hardrove what was on tap for the park's parking problem. She said that other parks have buses that transport visitors to top attractions to cut down on congestion.
Hardgrove said the park received a $50,000 grant from the Ford Foundation to fund a traffic expert who will arrive in June to spend six months coming up with solutions.
"He'll work with the taxi drivers and the community to look at options for the North Shore," Hardgrove said, referring to the park road that leads to the island's most popular beaches.
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