DARTMOOR National Park joined other parks all over Europe in celebrating 91 years since the designation of the first National Park last week.
May 24 1909 saw the first nine parks established in Sweden and since then protected areas have become a valuable part of Europe's natural and cultural heritage.
Britain's National Parks were created by the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. Dartmoor became a national park in 1951, one of 11 in England and Wales, covering 10 per cent of the land mass.
The purpose of the parks is enshrined in the Environment Act 1995 — park authorities must conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage of the areas and promote the understanding and enjoyment of their special qualities, while fostering the economic and social well-being of local communities.
On Dartmoor there were two guided walks and a special talk entitled 'Dartmoor and other European Granite Landscapes'.