News Release

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site to Increase Phased Access to the Park (Update as of June 19, 2020)

Exterior view of Little Rock Central High School

NPS Photo

News Release Date: June 19, 2020

Contact: Robin White, Superintendent, 501-374-1957

Little Rock, Arkansas - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Little Rock Central High School NHS is increasing visitor access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning June 22, 2020, Little Rock Central High School NHS will begin Phase II access which includes:  

• Daily streetscape tours of no more than 10 visitors [for more information on scheduling tours, visit the Guided Tours banner on our the front page of our park website]. A streetscape tour is a walking interpretive program from the visitor center to Little Rock Central High School that will share the story of the Little Rock Nine, desegregation, education and civil rights without access into Little Rock Central High School. Streetscape tours are given at 9:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. CDT, are by confirmed reservation only, and must be reserved at a minimum of forty-eight hours (2 days) in advance.

 

• Phase II includes continued access to the below services and amenities in the National Historic Site Visitor Center:
  • Free admission, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT with limited services
    • Increased access to park bookstore
  • No more than 10 visitors will be allowed inside visitor center at any time
  • Visitors may have to wait to access and may be restricted to 30 minutes in the visitor center on higher visitation days
    • (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. last entry)
  • Exhibits open, but the park film will be shown only upon request
    • (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. last viewing)
  • Limited informal programming on NHS grounds
    • (selected times between 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

Outdoor spaces at Little Rock Central High School NHS remain accessible to the public in accordance with the latest federal, state, and local health guidance:

• Commemorative Garden
• Elizabeth Eckford Commemorative Bench

“This decision, made with guidance from federal, state and local health authorities, will allow Little Rock Central High School NHS to serve our internal and external constituents as well as continue to protect our cultural and natural resources,” said Superintendent Robin White.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Little Rock Central High School NHS, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  

While these above areas and programs are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may continue to be limited. Phase III will eventually allow full access to the visitor center, exhibits, park film, bookstore and scheduled tours of no more than 50 participants. However, moving to Phase III is contingent upon successful implementation of Phase II as well as sufficient staff capacity, personal protective equipment, and current local and state health guidance. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders from the Arkansas Department of Health, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
 
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.  

Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website, www.nps.gov/chsc, and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.