StateImpact on NPR: In Oklahoma, A National Park That Got Demoted

• Joe Wertz
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  Joe Wertz was a reporter and managing editor for StateImpact Oklahoma from 2011-2019. He reported on energy and environment issues for national NPR audiences and other national outlets. He previously worked as a managing editor, assistant editor and staff reporter at several major Oklahoma newspapers and studied journalism at the University of Central Oklahoma.

NPR’s “All Things Considered” aired a national version of our story on The Chickasaw National Recreation area as part of its special series on the centennial of the National Park Service.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is not a national park — but it used to be. And the story of what happened illustrates a changing view of what national parks are for.