John Dower, Architect of National Parks, Honored with Plaque

In 1949, legislation was enacted with the goal of aiding a “traumatised” British populace in its recovery from World War Two. The civil servant responsible for drafting the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act was John Dower. His parliamentary documents ultimately allowed the general public to access some of the nation’s most picturesque landscapes. On Monday, a blue plaque dedicated to Mr. Dower was unveiled at Malham youth hostel, located near the village of Kirkby Malham, where the concept for the legislation originated. David Butterworth, chief executive officer of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, commented that Mr. Dower “knew there was a popular desire for National Parks in a post-war nation.” Mr. Dower, who hailed from Ilkley, was residing in Malhamdale when he authored his 1945 report. This report outlined the objectives of National Parks and identified potential areas in England and Wales for National Park designation. He succumbed to tuberculosis at the age of 47, just prior to the passage of the Act that made access to the countryside more equitable. After his death, Mr. Dower’s widow, Pauline, continued his work. She was appointed as a member of the National Parks Commission in 1949 and later served as its deputy chair. Mr. Butterworth stated: “The story of the Dower family deserves this recognition, in this 75th anniversary year of the National Parks Act, and 70th anniversary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.” Among the attendees at the Yorkshire Society ceremony for the plaque’s unveiling were Mr. Dower’s youngest son, Robin, and his grandchildren. Robin Dower posed for a photograph beside the plaque in the same location where he had been photographed with his family in 1948. His father, a qualified architect, had designed the youth hostel. John Dower began the war as a Royal Engineers officer but was medically discharged after contracting tuberculosis. He moved to Kirkby Malham in 1939, joined the civil service, and was appointed by Sir John Reith, minister of town and country planning, to draft the report. Mr. Dower remarked: “As my father died when I was eight, I cannot really remember much about his work on the National Parks Report, except through the lens of my mother’s work to fulfil his vision.” Jayne Butler, executive director at National Parks England, added: “Seventy-five years ago Britain’s National Parks were intended to play a huge role in ensuring access to nature and improved health and wellbeing. They are still serving this purpose today.”