Permits & Reservations

On a snowy Arkansas morning, a Mobil sign hangs in front of the 1950s Magnolia Station located within the NHS; Central High School sits in the background of the photo.

NPS Photo

 

For a permit application or for questions about any of these processes, please call Little Rock Central High School NHS at 501-374-1957.

Special Use Permits

At Little Rock Central High School NHS, certain activities require a special use permit. A special use permit must be issued by the office of the superintendent before a special event can take place on federal lands within the historic site. Requests for an early opening or late closing of facilities are considered special events. Permits for special events will be issued pursuant to standards established in Directors Order and Reference Manual 53 and 36 CFR. You must submit an application with any applicable fees and receive authorization in advance of your event from the Office of the Superintendent; an application for a special use permit received in writing by the superintendent at least four business days before the event. These regulations are enacted to ensure the protection of historic site resources, prevent interference with interpretive or other NPS sponsored programs or activities and reduce conflicts with other visitors.

These activies include:

• a sports event, pageant, regatta, public spectator attraction, entertainment, ceremony, and similar event

• public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views
  • See below First Amendment Activities for information
• the sale or distribution of printed matter that is not solely commercial advertising
  • The sale and distribution of printed matter is allowed provided that a special use permit has been issued by the office of the superintendent and provided the printed matter is not solely commercial advertising. The location authorized for this activity will be designated by the Superintendent.Permits of this type are necessary to control the sale or distribution of printed mater since such activity may conflict with the overall safety and enjoyment of the historic site by the majority of visitors. To ensure the exercise of First Amendment rights, the free distribution of message bearing items to the public other than printed matter, so long as the activity occurs within the designated First Amendment area and complies with First Amendment activities. Examples of message-bearing items that may be distributed for free include CDs, DVDs, and other readable electronic media. Such items must be distributed free of charge, and individuals may not ask or demand payment or request a donation in exchange for the item, which would violate 36 CFR 5.3.

• the display, posting or distribution of advertisements

• engaging in or soliciting any business - requires a permit, contract or other written agreement with the United States, or must be pursuant to special regulations

• still photography of vehicles or other articles of commerce or models for the purpose of commercial advertising

• use of the commemorative garden for groups larger than twelve people

  • Audio devices such as, but not limited to, a radio, tape deck, musical instrument, television set, bullhorn, or public address system may not be used in the commemorative garden unless specifically authorized as part of a special use permit issued pursuant to 36 CFR § 2.50 or 36 CFR § 2.51

 

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are protected rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. The necessity of a permit to conduct First Amendment activities may be required by the Superintendent by groups of any size but may not be needed by groups that are less than 25 in size.

A small group is defined as "25 people or less." A small group may not be required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within our First Amendment site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or handheld signs. A permit is required for any small group that:

• wants to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed mater somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area
• wants to use equipment (tables, banners, platforms, etc.) even if it is within a designated area
• is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25-person maximum
• wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location including the desgnated First Amendment area(s)

A large group is defined as "more than 25 people" and is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

Types of First Amendment Activities:

• Religious services or ceremonies
• Press conference
• Press coverage of breaking news
• Voter registration
• Collecting signatures on petitions or voter initiatives
• Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally for expressing opinion and views
• Sale or distribution of printed material related to free expression of opinion

Type of Activities that are NOT covered by the First Amendment Permit:

• Church picnic or social gathering

• Wedding ceremonies or receptions
• Political fund raiser or other invitation-only political activity or event
• Solicitation of donations
• Community parades, athletics, or sporting events
• Sale of message-bearing clothing, arts and crafts, or similar merchandise

All federal property within Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site may be used for exercising of First Amendment rights EXCEPT:

• Inside the Visitor Center or Magnolia Mobil Station or within 25 feet of any entrance to these buildings
• Within any area planted with ornamental landscapong and covered with mulch or vegetative ground cover other than turf grass
• Within any parking lot

Public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades, and other expressions of views are allowed providing a special use permit has been issued by the Office of the Superintendent. Application for a special use permit must be made in writing to the Superintendent at least 48 hours before the event. All permits will be issued with provisions that make clear that permitees may not harass visitors or impede visitors’ mobility into, out of, or within the historic site.These regulations are enacted to ensure the protection of resources, prevent interference with interpretive or other NPS sponsored programs or activities and reduce conflicts with other visitors.

Demonstrations involving 25 persons or fewer may be held without a permit within designated park areas provided that none of the reasons for denying small groups permit exception occur. While it is not mandatory, the organizer is requested to provide reasonable notice of the proposed event to the Superintendent, including whether there is any reason to believe that there may be an attempt to disrupt, protest, or prevent the activity. In the event that two or more groups taking advantage of the small group permit exception seek to use the same designated available area at the same time, and the area cannot reasonably accommodate multiple occupancy, the Superintendent will, whenever possible, direct the later-arriving group to relocate to another nearby designated available area.

 

Filming, Commercial Filming and Still Photography on Park Land

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

Effective October 28, 2022, the National Park Service rescinded interim guidance that was in place during litigation regarding commercial filming and has returned to longstanding laws and regulations governing commercial filming in parks. Questions and answers about filming and photography are provided by the National Park Service.

How do I apply for a permit?

Permit applications are available through each park's administrative office or website. Contact information for parks can be found on their websites; Find a park where you would like to film or take photographs. If you believe that your filming or photography activity may require a permit, you should submit a completed application to the park where you want to film or photograph as far in advance of your planned date as possible.

Some parks may require that you provide advance notice a certain amount of days before filming or photography begins. In addition, you should request a meeting with park staff if your proposed activity is unusual or complex. Early consultation with park staff will help them process the submitted application in a timely manner.

What fees will I have to pay?

Federal law requires the National Park Service to recover its administrative costs for commercial filming and still photography activities that require a permit. Cost recovery includes an application fee and any additional charges to cover the costs incurred by the National Park Service in processing your request and monitoring the permitted activities. This amount will vary depending on the park and the size and complexity of the permitted activities. The application fee must be submitted with your application.

In addition, Federal law also requires the National Park Service to collect a location fee that provides a fair return to the United States for the use of park lands for commercial filming and for still photography requires a permit. The National Park Service uses the following fee schedules for filming and photography:

Commercial Filming

• 1–2 people, camera & tripod only - $0/day

• 1–10 people - $150/day

• 11–30 people - $250/day

• 31–49 people - $500/day

• Over 50 people - $750/day

Still Photography

• 1–10 people - $50/day

• 11–30 people - $150/day

• Over 30 people - $250/day

Permits issued for non-commercial filming may be subject to cost recovery charges, including an application fee, but a separate location fee will not be charged.

Are there other permit requirements?

Filming and photography permits will contain terms and conditions that are necessary to protect park resources and visitors. They will specify the location and time of the activity and the number of personnel and equipment that may be used. The permits also may require you to obtain liability insurance naming the United States as additionally insured in an amount commensurate with the risk posed to park resources by your proposed activity. You also may be required to post a bond to ensure the payment of all charges and fees and the restoration of the area if necessary.