Superintendent’s Compendium

Signature of Melissa K. Cobern, Superintendent

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REVISED September 2025

COMPENDIUM of designations, closures, permit requirements and other restrictions imposed under the discretionary authority by the Superintendent of George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

In accordance with regulations and the delegated authority provided in Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (“36 CFR”), Chapter 1, Parts 1-7, authorized by Title 16 United States Code, Section 3, the following provisions apply to all lands and waters administered by the National Park Service, within the boundaries of George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, and Parts 1-7. This document can be found at: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/36/chapter-I

Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5(c), are in italicized print.

36 CFR §1.5(a)(1) – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITES

Areas:

• The Memorial Area is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• The Visitor Center, Picnic Area, Washington Family Burial Ground, and Potomac River beach are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• The park is open from Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Visitor Center hours are 9:30 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday with no entry into Visitor Center parking lot after 4:00 p.m.
• All park areas are closed to the public on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
• The park is closed on any holiday occurring on Mondays, except for the federally designated date in recognition of George Washington’s birthday, on which the park may be open.

Established visiting hours are necessary for visitor safety and resource protection.

Boating:

• The park shorelines along Popes Creek and ponds are closed to the landing and launching of all boats/watercraft and all public entry year-round, except for park volunteers, researchers, and staff who may launch in a designated area along the Nature Trail, behind the Log House, between the trail from the Log House and the bridge. Staff, volunteers, and researchers must have the permission of the relevant division chief, receive instructions on minimizing shoreline impacts, wear a uniform, ball cap or other item of clothing that identifies their affiliation with the park, and be conducting official park business.
• The park shoreline along the Potomac River beach is closed to the landing and launching of motorized boats/watercraft. The launching and landing of non-motorized boats/watercraft, such as canoes and kayaks is permitted along the Potomac River beach

Repeated launching/landing of boats and watercraft along Popes Creek and ponds encourages slope erosion and could cause other damage to both natural and cultural resources (see Cultural Landscape Report for more information). Repeated launching and landing of motorized watercraft in a manner that would not negatively affect park resources requires infrastructure the park does not have. In addition, some areas of shoreline are unstable.

• The bluffs along the Potomac River are unstable and are closed to the public
• Staff, researchers, and volunteers may access the bluffs with permission from the superintendent and use appropriate safety precautions including PPE, communication plan, and safety assessment prior to access. Any authorized access to the area at the top of the bluffs must always be at a distance of 8’ or greater from the edge of the bluffs on foot or 30’ by vehicle. Closer distances require approval from the superintendent and the appropriate safety precautions described above.

Rising sea levels bring increasing coastal erosion. Bluff failures, falling trees, and debris are possible. Walking near or directly on top of the unstable bluffs is also prohibited since they may collapse.

Fishing:

• The park shorelines, pedestrian bridge, boardwalks and ponds are closed to fishing except for the Potomac River Beach and Popes Creek designated fishing area, which is adjacent to the Picnic Area

Fishing in undesignated areas along Popes Creek or other areas of the park could negatively affect park resources through trampling and encouraging erosion. In some areas, banks are severely undercut and may pose a significant safety risk to anyone on top or below these banks. Fishing in some areas would detract from the historic landscape and could interfere with park interpretive activities (see Cultural Landscape Report for more information)

Camping:

• Camping is prohibited in the park except for NPS staff, volunteers, researchers or partners who have permission from the Superintendent to do so in support of business needs. Service organizations performing approved work in the park may camp with the permission of the superintendent and an approved special use permit.

The park does not have infrastructure or services to support overnight stays by the public.

Uncrewed Aircraft:

• Launching, landing, or operating an uncrewed or remotely piloted aircraft (drone or similar) from or on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service within the boundaries of George Washington Birthplace is prohibited except as approved in writing by the superintendent.

The use of uncrewed or remotely piloted aircraft may negatively impact public safety, natural or cultural resources and could conflict with visitor use activities.

(a)(2) Public Use Restrictions
The following areas are designated for a specific use or activity and/or the following conditions or restrictions are imposed on a specific use or activity:

Fishing:
Fishing is allowed in the following areas:

• Location adjacent to the Picnic Area designated by signs indicating that fishing is allowed
• Potomac River Beach, in an area that is not closed due to safety concerns related to bluff instability

Topography and soil conditions in these areas will support repeated foot traffic from fishing and are away from unstable bluffs. These locations are also well-away from the Memorial Area and fishing here does not conflict with visitor use or interpretation or detract from the historic landscape.

See also 36 CFR § 2.3 of this document.
Picnicking:
The park is closed to picnicking in:

• Any areas that would impede vehicle or pedestrian traffic
• Any areas that would interfere with park operations

See also 36 CFR § 2.11.

Picnicking in certain areas could pose a hazard to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic or impede park operations.

Reservations:
Reservations are not required for public use of the Picnic Pavilion – Use of pavilion is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Passenger Carrying Buses & Vehicles

• Drivers of commercial passenger-carrying diesel-fueled motor vehicles are prohibited from idling their engines in parking lots of developed areas.

Idling engines are noisy and add unnecessary exhaust fumes to the air, which impacts on the tranquil atmosphere of the park that is sought by many visitors.

CCTV Policy Statement

In accordance with National Park Service Law Enforcement Reference Manual 9 (RM-9), notice is hereby given that George Washington Birthplace National Monument uses Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) security camera monitoring.

The park’s use of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) for law enforcement and security purposes will only be to visually monitor public park areas and public activities where no constitutionally protected reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Such CCTV use – which will have adequate privacy and First Amendment safeguards – will be to help ensure public safety and security,facilitate the detection, investigation, prevention, and deterrence of terrorist attack and crime; help ensure the safety of citizens and officers; help assist in the proper allocation and deployment of law enforcement and public safety resources; and help facilitate the protection of the innocent and the apprehension and prosecution of criminals. (RM-9, 26.1)

This policy does not restrict the official use of CCTV in government administrative areas, including administrative buildings, jail holding facilities (RM-9, 26.3.7), revenue collection sites, etc., where the government may record/monitor its facilities. For example, the government may perform unrestricted video/audio recording at revenue collection points (entrance stations, visitor center counters, etc.). This policy does not restrict the use of an Audio/Visual Recording Device (AVRD) in patrol vehicles or officer-worn recording devices used by commissioned rangers. (RM-9, 26.1)

Operation of CCTV cameras, maintenance of recorded images and use of recorded images will be in accordance with NPS and Department policy and applicable laws and regulations. (RM-9, 26.1-26.4) No person will be targeted or monitored merely because of race, religion, gender, sex, disability, national origin, or political affiliation or views. (RM-9, 26.4.2)

Nothing in this policy statement is intended to create any rights, privileges, or benefits not otherwise recognized by law.

Hammocks:
The use of hammocks is prohibited in the entire park.

Hammocks cause damage to trees and limit the mobility of visitors around them on the beach and Picnic Area. They are not appropriate in the Memorial Area.

Shade structures, bounce houses, volleyball nets, etc:
All structures (e.g. shade structures, bounce houses, volleyball/badminton nets) are prohibited except for the following:

• Shade structures no larger than 10’x10’ are permitted at the Potomac River Beach and Picnic Area. Shade structures should be staked down with small stakes to hold them in place.

Structures such as canopies for shade, bounce, houses, and volleyball/badminton nets reduce mobility for those around them which can create a hazard.

36 CFR 1.5(a)(2)- Designate Areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity

Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity may require a permit, consistent with 54 U.S.C. 100905.

• Filming, still photography, and audio recording activity that occurs in closed areas requires exclusive use of a site or area, or involves a set or staging equipment other than handheld equipment (such as a tripod, monopod, and handheld lighting equipment) requires a permit, unless the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
• Filming, still photography, and audio recording that involves more than eight individuals requires a permit, unless the NPS has specifically notified an individual or group that a permit is not required, or if the activity is affiliated with an activity or event that has been allowed under a written authorization, such as a special use permit.
• If a permit is required for the reasons stated above, or if the NPS otherwise determines and then notifies an individual or group that a permit is required for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity, then engaging in that activity without a permit is prohibited. Violating a term or condition of a permit issued by the NPS for a filming, still photography, or audio recording activity is prohibited, and may result in the suspension or revocation of the permit, in addition to any penalties that may apply under 36 CFR 1.3.

Federal law at 54 U.S.C. 100905 states that permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording in park areas if certain requirements are met. These requirements address various topics, including, but not limited to, group size, location, equipment, potential impacts to resources and visitors, and the likelihood that the NPS will incur related administrative costs. If any of these requirements are not met, the law allows the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the NPS, to require a permit for the subject activity. Permit requirements are imposed by the superintendent under discretionary authority provided by 36 CFR 1.5(a)(2), which allows the superintendent to impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity, consistent with applicable legislation, to implement management responsibilities. The general regulations for permits in 36 CFR 1.6 do not apply to permits issued for filming, still photography, and audio recording, which instead are governed by the statutory provisions in 54 U.S.C. 100905. The imposition of permit requirements, on a case-by-case basis, for filming, still photography, or audio recording does not require rulemaking under 36 CFR 1.5(b). Requiring a permit with reasonable terms and conditions in accordance with statutory requirements at 54 U.S.C. 100905 is not highly controversial, will not result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern of the System unit, will not adversely affect the System unit’s natural, aesthetic, scenic or cultural values, or require a long-term or significant modification in the resource management objectives of the System unit, because the permit requirement is limited in time and scope to the specific activities authorized by the permit, which contain terms and conditions that protect the values, resources, and visitors of the System unit, and implements federal law.

36 CFR §1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT

• Specimen Collecting 2.5 (a)
• Special Events 2.50(a)
• Agricultural 2.60(b)
• Business Operations 5.3
• Still Photography and Filming* 5.5
• Camping 2.10
• Picnic groups over 25 unless in Picnic Area 2.11
• Demonstrations* 2.51(b)
• Sale & Distribution of Printed Matter* 2.52(b)

*May require a permit depending on the scope of the activity.

Permits will be specific in nature to the activity being permitted. A permit or letter of authorization must be in the permittee’s possession at all times and exhibited to any authorized person upon request.

36 CFR §2.1 – PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES

2.1 (c)(1) The following may be gathered by hand for personal use:

• Unoccupied seashells may be collected on the Potomac River beach
• Driftwood or downed trees small enough to be carried out without dragging may be collected on the Potomac River Beach
• Rocks/pebbles smaller than 5” diameter and also carried out without a container, may be collected

Gathering unoccupied seashells and small rocks will not adversely affect park wildlife, the reproductive potential of a species, or otherwise adversely affect park resources. The collection of driftwood and down wood on the beach allows users more mobility and helps mirror regulations with neighboring parks.

36 CFR §2.2 - WILDLIFE PROTECTION

2.2(d) Game animals lawfully taken outside of the park may be transported by vehicle through the park for the purpose of exiting the park under the following conditions:

• Transport vehicles may not stop in any developed area of the park
• Persons transporting will have in their possession a valid Virginia hunting license
• Animal carcasses are subject to inspection at any time by an authorized person

The park does not wish to impede those hunting legally in a jurisdiction outside the park, nor the transportation of legally taken game. However, the transportation of game through the park, an area closed to hunting, is incompatible with the tranquil atmosphere of the park and could cause confusion with the park’s hunting regulations.

2.2(e) Viewing wildlife or areas frequented by wildlife by means of an artificial light source (e.g., vehicle headlights, strobe) is prohibited in the park

The viewing of wildlife at night with the use of artificial lights temporarily blinds wildlife and alters their natural behavior.

36 CFR §2.3 – FISHING

(a) Fishing shall be in accordance with the laws and regulations of Virginia:

• A Virginia saltwater or Maryland Bay Sport or Potomac River Fisheries fishing license is required to fish at the Potomac River Beach
• A Virginia saltwater or freshwater sport fishing license is required to fish from the location designated for such activity, which is adjacent to the Popes Creek Picnic Area
• All fishing must comply with State size limits, catch limits, and other restrictions.
• See also 36 CFR § 1.5 of this document

36 CFR §2.10 – CAMPING AND FOOD STORAGE

Camping is prohibited in the park except for NPS staff, volunteers, researchers or partners who have permission from the Superintendent to do so and service organizations, as provided in a special use permit. See 36 CFR §1.5 of this document.

36 CFR §2.11 – PICNICKING

• Picnicking by groups of more than 25 people may be considered an event and may require a Special Use Permit unless done in the park’s Picnic Area
• Large groups present potential problems with litter, parking, resource damage and interference with other visitors and park operations. For these reasons, group events will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• “Holding” or unofficially reserving tables in the Picnic Area for other individuals is prohibited. Picnic tables first come, first served. See also 36 CFR §1.5

36 CFR 2.13 – CONDITIONS ON LIGHTING OR MAINTAINING A FIRE

(a)(1) – A fire may be ignited and maintained only by using fuel sources designed and commonly used for warmth or the preparation of food, such as charcoal briquettes or natural firewood. Lighting or maintaining a fire with other materials including, but not limited to, flammable liquids, garbage, fireworks, plastics, aerosol canisters, batteries, or other manufactured or synthetic materials, is prohibited.

This action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural or cultural resources, and the implementation of management responsibilities. Materials other than approved combustibles – especially fire accelerants and substances prone to wind transport or explosion – creates serious risks when used to light or maintain fires. These combustibles can ignite or spread wildfires that directly threaten people and valuable resources and assets. The burning of manufactured or synthetic materials can contribute to air pollution, contaminate soil and water, and be toxic to humans and the environment. Less restrictive measures, such as an education campaign informing visitors of the risks of using certain materials to light or maintain a fire, would not be commensurate with the substantial risks associated with those activities and could lead to adverse outcomes that might be prevented by establishing an enforceable condition.

Fires are prohibited, except in the following areas and/or receptacles, and under the conditions noted:

• Fires are only permitted at the Picnic Area in the park-supplied grills or personal grills brought by visitors
• Fires must be monitored at all times
• During periods of high fire danger, the Superintendent may close all or a portion of the park to the lighting and maintaining of fires

(a)(2) The following restrictions are in effect for the use of stoves or lanterns:

• Stoves and lanterns are only permitted in the Picnic Area
• Lanterns may not be attached to trees, vegetation, or park structures

(a) Fires must be extinguished according to the following conditions:

• Fires must be extinguished with water and ashes left in place
• Ashes cannot be dumped in trash receptacles or on the ground

Fires, fire extinguishment and ash disposal are regulated to protect human life, park structures and park resources. Lantern hanging is restricted to prevent impacts on natural and cultural resources.

CFR §2.15 – PETS

(a)(1) Dogs, cats and other pets are prohibited in the following areas:

• All park buildings, except quarters in accordance with the occupant’s rental agreement and the Housing Management Plan
• Memorial Area
• Burial Ground
• These restrictions do not apply to service animals

The park is a memorial to George Washington. As such, certain cultural norms are observed out of respect for Washington. Pet behavior may interfere with the quiet nature of the park and may scare wildlife and park farm animals. It is inappropriate to the business setting to have pets in park buildings. Historic structures and archeological resources may be damaged by pet activity. Pet behavior may interfere with the solemn nature of the burial ground.

Electronic or "shock" collars do not meet the requirements for physical restraint of a pet as required by 36 CFR §2.15(a)(2). Pets must be restrained on a leash not exceeding six feet in length. Pets on retractable leashes extended beyond 6’ are in violation of 36 CFR §2.15 (a)(2).

(a)(5) Pet excrement must be disposed of in accordance with the following conditions:

• Pet owners must pick up and dispose of pet excrement in trash receptacles

The smell of pets and their excrement has been shown to alter natural wildlife behavior. Managing pet excrement is necessary for human and pet health and safety.

36 CFR §2.16 – HORSES AND PACK ANIMALS

The following are prohibited:

2. The use of horses or pack animals except: (1) Where such travel is necessary to cross to or from designated trails, or areas, or privately owned property.

The park does not contain any designated horse trails or use areas for the public. Horseback riding is permitted in the park by law enforcement staff on official patrol or by special event staff with permission of the superintendent.

36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKING

(a) Smoking, including the use of Electronic Nicotine Delivering Systems (ENDS or “Vapes”) is prohibited:

• In all buildings and structures
• In the Memorial Area (i.e., the area of the trails starting at the Visitor Center and encompassing all the area from there to the traffic circle, to the bridge and boardwalks across Dancing Marsh, to the shoreline of Popes Creek and back to the visitor center).
• Within 25 feet of any entrance to all public buildings
• Within 25 feet of any heating/cooling units of all public buildings
• Within 25 feet of any propane tanks

Smoking is prohibited in the above areas to protect park resources, reduce the risk of fire, or prevent conflicts among visitor use activities.

36 CFR §2.22 – PROPERTY

(a)(2) Leaving property unattended for longer than 24 hours is prohibited, except under the following conditions:

• Property may not be left unattended for longer than 24 hours unless specific permission is given by the Superintendent

36 CFR §2.35 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

(a)(3)(i) The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages, and/or to the possession of a bottle, can or other receptacle containing an alcoholic beverage that is open, or has been opened, or whose seal has been broken or the contents of which have been partially removed is prohibited as noted herein. The entire park is closed to alcohol with the following exceptions:

• Park housing and the curtilage thereof at Quarters 1 and Quarters 2.
• Because it is in a public area, alcohol may not be consumed outside the Log House apartment during hours the picnic area or nature trail is open.
• Under an authorized Special Use Permit when limited to a designated area during hours the area is not generally open to the public 

The possession of marijuana is prohibited throughout the park.

This type of activity is inconsistent with the preservation and protection of resource values. The park is closed to alcohol consumption to protect the visitor experience in regard to the park’s purpose.

36 CFR §2.5 – RESEARCH SPECIMENS

(a) The superintendent may issue permits for the collection of plants, fish, wildlife, rocks and minerals for research purposes according to general and park-specific conditions established by the National Park Service for scientific research and collection permits. These conditions are found online at http://science.nature.nps.gov/research and are subject to revision. The guidelines found at that website are hereby adopted and made part of these orders.

All scientific activities in a park have the potential to affect protected resources and visitor enjoyment.

36 CFR §2.50 – Special Events

The following conditions have been established for special events:

• A complete application for a Special Use Permit (SUP) must be submitted a minimum of 30 calendar days in advance of the proposed activity. Proposed large events or activities that have the potential to adversely affect the human environment, including park operations, will require a longer review period.

The NPS will consider requests and process permit applications in a timely manner. Processing times will vary depending on the complexity of the proposed activity.

36 CFR §2.51 -- DEMONSTRATIONS

(b) Demonstrations of 25 people or less are allowed within the park areas designated as available under paragraph (c)(2). However, there are exceptions and, even if not required, a permit is recommended in order to ensure space will be available at a particular designated location. Demonstrations of more than 25 people are allowed at designated locations when the superintendent has issued a permit for the activity.

(c)(2) The following locations are designated as available for demonstrations:

• An area has been set aside in front of the flagpole at the visitor center. A map showing the location is attached to this document and is available on the park’s website
• A second area is available at the Popes Creek Picnic Area. A map showing the location is attached to this document and is available on the park’s website

36 CFR §2.52 -- SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER

(c)(4) The following locations are designated as available for the sale and distribution of non- commercial printed matter when a permit has been issued by the superintendent.

• An area has been set aside near the Visitor Center. A map showing the location is attached to this document and is available on the park’s website
• A second area is available at the Picnic Area. A map showing the location is attached to this document and is available on the park’s website.

36 CFR §2.62 – MEMORIALIZATION

• The installation of a monument, memorial, tablet, structure, or other commemorative installation in a park area without the authorization of the Director is prohibited.
• The scattering of human ashes from cremation is prohibited.

There are several tribes associated with the park and the scattering of ashes unassociated with their heritage may be considered disrespectful in some cases. Scattering human remains may also complicate the park’s archeological record.

36 CFR §4.30 – BIKE USE IN THE PARK

(a) The use of a bicycle is permitted on park roads and in parking areas that are open for motor vehicle use by the general public.

(h) Prohibited acts: The following are prohibited: (1) Bicycle riding off the park roads and parking areas.

The term “e-bike” means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 hp). E-bikes are allowed in George Washington Birthplace where traditional bicycles are allowed. E-bikes are prohibited where traditional bicycles are prohibited.

Except where use of motor vehicles by the public is allowed, using the electric motor to move an e-bike without pedaling is prohibited. A person operating an e-bike is subject to the following sections of 36 CFR part 4 that apply to the use of traditional bicycles: sections 4.12, 4.13, 4.20, 4.21, 4.22, 4.23, and 4.30(h)(2)-(5). Except as specified in this Compendium, the use of an e-bike within George Washington Birthplace is governed by State law, which is adopted and made a part of this Compendium. Any violation of State law adopted by this paragraph is prohibited.

George Washington Birthplace National Monument Area for Demonstration and Sale or Distribution of Printed Matter

 

Locations of the First Amendment Areas

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