50 Years, 50 Legacies: Myrl Brooks
#23: Myrl Brooks
Credit: NPS
A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Myrl Brooks earned his biology degree from Roanoke College, completing his studies in between serving in the U.S. Army during both World War II and the Korean War. With a deep appreciation for the natural world and a strong sense of service, Brooks went on to dedicate his professional life to the National Park Service, eventually becoming the first superintendent of Voyageurs National Park.
His career began as a ranger at Blue Ridge Parkway in 1954, followed by roles as district ranger at Acadia National Park and assistant chief ranger at Big Bend National Park. He also served as Chief of Interpretation at Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park, and even spent a few years out of the field working on legislative affairs in the NPS office in Washington, DC. With 20 years of service behind him, he was well-prepared to take on the role of Project Manager and, upon the park’s establishment, its first superintendent.
When Voyageurs National Park was authorized in 1971, Brooks was appointed Project Manager and then its first superintendent, serving until 1978. His tenure was anything but simple. He was charged with building the park from the ground up – hiring staff, collecting historical artifacts and developing educational programming for visitors – all while the park’s land acquisition was still in progress. Public perception of the park’s purpose was uncertain, and political pressures from both local and state interests often weighed heavily on the park’s early leadership team.
Brooks approached these challenges with persistence, investing heavily in public outreach and community relations. He believed that education and communication were the keys to building trust, and he worked to connect the park to the people who lived around it. At the same time, he emphasized the distinctive qualities of Voyageurs. “This is a composite of land, water and blue skies...a combination of these things for now and the future,” he said.
Through his steady leadership and vision, Brooks laid the groundwork for a park that today, more than 50 years later, thrives as a place of exploration and wonder. His legacy lives on not just in the trails, campsites, and programs established during his time, but in the enduring presence of Voyageurs National Park itself, a testament to his dedication and belief in protecting this remarkable part of the National Park Service.
Check out the full list of our 50 legacies!
This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park by sharing 50 inspiring stories of the people who shaped its legacy. Years, 50 Legacies is a yearlong storytelling series highlighting individuals whose lives are woven into the fabric of the park – whether through conservation work, cultural traditions, recreation, research, or personal connection.
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