DICKINSON — In partnership with More Than Just Parks, the North Dakota Department of Commerce Tourism and Marketing Division announced that it has released a new short film promoting Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The film along with other promotional content pieces have been released in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s Memorial Park designation, which took place on Monday, April 25.
“This exciting partnership has resulted in the latest breathtaking new short film on Theodore Roosevelt National Park,” Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman said in the press release. “The partnership was established to highlight North Dakota’s unique public lands and provide visitors with new ways to explore these landscapes.”
President Harry S. Truman signed a bill on April 25, 1947, creating Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, at the time only including the South Unit near Medora. On June 12, 1948, the rugged North Unit, which included lands that roughly make up the larger area toward Watford City and the Elkhorn Ranch site today, was added to the park.
As a memorial park, the site was the only one of its kind in the National Park System at that time. Over time, in addition to President Theodore Roosevelt’s connections to the park, the land was recognized for its diverse cultural and natural resources. It wasn’t until Nov. 19, 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed public law, changing the area status from memorial park to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Additionally, the law placed 29,920 acres of the park under the National Wilderness Preservation System.
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“Theodore Roosevelt National Park is a true gem for North Dakota,” National Park Service Superintendent Angie Richman said. “The Memorial Park designation was an integral step in preserving our cultural and natural resources along with honoring Theodore Roosevelt for his conservation efforts.”
This latest installment in the More Than Just Parks award-winning series featuring Theodore Roosevelt National Park was conducted to not only showcase what the destination spot has to offer in recreational opportunities, but also to “underscore the importance of protecting North Dakota’s legendary wild places,” the press release read.
“We could not be more excited to announce the launch of our new film with North Dakota Tourism featuring one of the most spectacular regions in the United States, Theodore Roosevelt National Park,” More Than Just Parks Co-Founder Will Pattiz said. “Encompassing over 70,000 acres, the park boasts a stunning array of breathtaking badlands, snaking rivers, diverse wildlife including our national mammal, and colorful canyons.”
The short film can be viewed at belegendary.link/TRNP .
