NPS The following areas will be temporarily closed or restricted beginning at approximately 5:00 a.m. continuing through 2:00 p.m.: the park grounds of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park at 450 Auburn Avenue, including the sidewalks, NPS Visitor Center, Peace Plaza, and Promenade, bounded on the north by Irwin Avenue, west by Jackson Avenue and south by Auburn Avenue and east by the park boundary as delineated by the fence and tree line. The NPS is also imposing a public use limitation to restrict items brought into ticketed areas and visitors will not be allowed to bring the following items: • Aerosols• Ammunition• Animals other than service guide animals • Backpacks and bags exceeding size restrictions (18" x 13" x 7") • Bicycles • Balloons • Coolers • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems • Explosives • Firearms • Glass, thermal, or metal containers • Laser pointers • Mace/Pepper spray • Packages • Selfie Sticks • Signs exceeding the size restrictions (20”x36”x1/4”) • Structures • Supports for signs and placards • Toy guns • Weapons of any kind • Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards. The partial and temporary park closures and public use limitation come at the request of the United States Secret Service (Secret Service), in consultation with local law enforcement agencies. This will help ensure public safety during this well-publicized event that is expected to include the attendance of the President, Governor of Georgia, members of Congress, and dignitaries, as well as ticketed members of the public who will enter and be screened by the Secret Service. The Secret Service’s map of the park areas to be closed or restricted is within view of this notice. This partial and temporary park closure and public use limitation does not constitute an impairment to park resources and values. This temporary and partial closure is not of a nature, magnitude and duration that will result in a significant alteration in the public use pattern. Indeed, a majority of the NPS property will remain open to the public including the grounds on the south side of Auburn Avenue and the east side of Jackson Street outside of the closure. Further, the partial and temporary closure and public use limitation will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic, or cultural values and is not of a highly controversial nature given the required security measures. Accordingly, the NPS determines publication as a rulemaking in the Federal Register is unwarranted under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c). Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.7. notice of the public closure will be made by media advisories, maps, signage, and notice of the public use limitation will be on the tickets and entrance way signage. Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §1.5. this Record of Determination is available to the public upon request. Violating a closure, designation, use or activity restriction or schedule of visiting hours, or public use limit is prohibited. The areas highlighted in yellow will be temporarily closed or restricted beginning at approximately 5:00 a.m. continuing through 2:00 p.m.: the park grounds of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park at 450 Auburn Avenue, including the sidewalks, NPS Visitor Center, Peace Plaza, and Promenade, bounded on the north by Irwin Avenue, west by Jackson Avenue and south by Auburn Avenue and east by the park boundary as delineated by the fence and tree line. /s/ Cheryl A. Shropshire Acting Superintendent |
Last updated: January 14, 2023