Redwood National and State Parks to Celebrate the Legacy of Newton B. Drury

Date: April 2, 2010
Contact: Pete Peterson, 707-465-7394

Redwood National & State Parks celebrate the legacy of Newton B.
Drury on April 9th and 10th with a variety of special events. Drury is a fitting symbol of the continuing partnership between the National Park Service, the California State Parks, and the Save-the-Redwoods League, serving as the director of all three organizations during his 60 year career.

On Friday, April 9th at 5:30 pm, a 1945 portrait of Newton Drury by
famed photographer Ansel Adams will be unveiled in the lobby of the Crescent City Information Center, also known as the Newton B. Drury Center. A short program will be followed by refreshments. The
Information Center is located at 1111 Second Street in downtown
Crescent City.

On Saturday, April 10th, two special interpretive walks will be offered at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. The walks begin at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. from the Big Tree Wayside parking area, one mile north of the Prairie Creek Visitor Center on the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway. The easy walks are about a mile long and will last approximately one hour. Learn more about Drury’s efforts as Director of Save the Redwoods League, his important work as fourth director of the National Park Service, and later chief of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, and explore some amazing redwoods along the way!

Also on Saturday, April 10th, follow the lead of Newton Drury and take an active role in helping to protect the parks! Join park staff in planting redwood seedlings as part of the park’s watershed
restoration program in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. Meet at 10 a.m. at the entrance gate to the Mill Creek Day Use Area on Hamilton Rd, 3½ mi south of Crescent City off Hwy 101. The planting will last from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please pack a lunch, dress for the weather, and bring gloves if you have them.

Drury's 60 year career spans many significant events in our system of National and State Parks, and the efforts to preserve our old growth redwood forests. The Newton B. Drury Center was dedicated in 1973 as the Redwood National Park Headquarters. The Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park was dedicated in 1993 following the opening of the Highway 101 bypass around that significant redwood area. Join us in celebrating these local partnership efforts and the legacy of Newton B. Drury!

Call 707-465-7306 for additional event information.

This News Release can also be viewed, downloaded, and/or printed here (PDF, 32.81 KB)