Remembering Marion Park
By Rush Williamson
“Marion Park was one of those behind-the-scenes characters who was essential to the success of the Appalachian Trail project.” -Mills Kelly
Looking back to the birth of the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the 1930s, we can attribute its creation and success to some key individuals. One of those people was Marion Park.
Marion Park joined the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) in 1933. She was one of Myron Avery's closest associates within PATC and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). Marion started off by helping edit the club newsletter and subsequently becoming Club Secretary.
She was a close collaborator of Jean Stephenson on several trail-related projects. Marion and Jean maintained a side trail to the AT from the Meadow Spring and Buck Hollow trails in Shenandoah National Park. Marion and Jean functioned as Myron's essential office staff, typing as many as 20 letters a day for Avery.
In 1941 she replaced the secretary of ATC, Harlean James, who she had assisted since 1937. Marion excelled as a devoted secretary for both organizations and served in those positions until 1955.
Marion kept records of all the ATC and cross-over PATC meetings, often going out in the field with Myron, and taking notes as he measured and noted deficiencies. The accuracy of those notes endures and was essential to the organization’s governance, guidebooks, and maps in its first three decades.
Marion was also very active out in the field and was one of the core people that went with Myron to scout out and plan the AT's route and develop various trail maintaining clubs.
Marion formed the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and served as treasurer from 1937-1957. She was a member of the group that accompanied Myron when he wheeled the trail up Katahdin and placed the sign on it.
Every organization needs a Marion Park at its quiet center to keep it grounded, organized, and forward moving. Though you might not find Marion’s name in many headlines, we remember her as a vibrant and driven PATC and ATC member and an essential stakeholder in the creation of one beloved trail.
Members, we invite you to join us at the Appalachian Trail Museum’s Hall of Fame Banquet to honor Marion and other legends of the AT. The event will be held at the Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV, on Saturday, November 23, from 11 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. Details and tickets are available on the Museum’s website.
