"Roosevelt Elk, Redwoods still Favorite Drawing Card at Prairie Creek". The park now (1958) contains 10,000 acres. It began in 1923 when Zipporah Russ donated land through Save The RW's League. The Elk Refuge was established in 1948 when John D. Rockefeller Jr. , the RW League , and others purchased 1,600 acres to honor Madison Grant, a great naturatist.