A. INTRODUCTION
The National Park Service (NPS) is granted broad statutory authority under 54 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section 100101 et.seq. (Organic Act of 1916, as amended) to “…regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations…by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purposes of the said parks…which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment for future generations.” 54 U.S.C. § 10010. Further, Congress added that: “Congress further reaffirms, declares, and directs that the promotion and regulation of the various areas of the National Park System, as defined by Section 1 of this Title, shall be consistent with and founded in the purpose established by Section 1 of this Title, to the common benefit of all people of the United States.” Id.
Congress defined the National Park System as including”…any areas of land and water now or hereafter administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the National Park Service for park, monument, historic, parkway, recreational, or other purposes.” 54 U.S.C. § 100501.
Finally, Congress directed the NPS to “prescribe such regulations as the Secretary considers necessary or proper for the use and management of System Units.” 54 U.S.C. § 100751.
The NPS has issued regulations governing the regulation of the National Park System at 36 C.F.R. 36 C.F.R. § 1.5 gives Superintendents of National Park System units authority: to establish a reasonable schedule of visiting hours; impose public use limits; close all or a portion of a park area to all public use or a specific public use; designate areas for a specific use or activity; terminate a restriction, limit, closure, designation, condition or visiting hour restriction; or establish a permit, registration, or reservation system to implement a public use limit. The Superintendent is directed to compile in writing all such designations, closures, and permit requirements. 36 C.F.R. § 1.7.
In addition to the above statutory and regulatory authority, the Superintendent is guided by established NPS policy as found in the NPS Management Policies (2006). The Superintendent is also guided by more specific policies promulgated by the Director, National Park Service, in the form of Director’s Orders. As stated in the Management Policies, the primary responsibility of the NPS is to protect and preserve our national natural and cultural resources while providing for the enjoyment of these resources by visitor and other users, as long as use does not impair specific park resources or overall visitor experience. The appropriateness of any particular visitor use or recreational experience is resource-based and will vary from park to park; therefore, a use or activity that is appropriate in one park area may not be appropriate in another. The Superintendent is directed to analyze overall park use and determine if any particular use is appropriate. Where conflict arises between use and resource protection, where the Superintendent has a reasonable basis to believe a resource is or would become impaired, then that Superintendent is obliged to place limitations on public use. 3. Consistency of This Compendium with Applicable Federal Law and Requirements The Superintendent’s Compendium is not considered a significant rule requiring review by the Office of Management and Budget under Executive Order 12866. In addition, this Compendium will not have a significant economic effect on a number of small entities nor impose a significant cost on any local, state or tribal government or private organization, and therefore does not fall under the requirements of either the Regulatory Flexibility Act or the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
The actions and requirements described in this Compendium are found to be categorically excluded from further compliance with the procedural requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in Department of the Interior (DOI) Guidelines 516 DM 6 and as such, an Environmental Assessment will not be prepared. 4. Development of the Requirements of the Superintendent’s Compendium
5. Applicability of the Compendium 6. Enforcement of Compendium Requirements
10. Additional Information B. SUPERINTENDENT’S COMPENDIUM 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 Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Unless otherwise stated, these regulatory provisions apply in addition to the requirements contained in 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7.
Written determinations, which explain the reasoning behind the Superintendent’s use of discretionary authority, as required by Section 1.5(c), appear in this document identified by italicized print.
I. 36 CFR §1.5 – VISITING HOURS, PUBLIC USE LIMITS, CLOSURES, AND AREA DESIGNATIONS FOR SPECIFIC USE OR ACTIVITIES
(a)(1) The following visiting hours and public use limits are established for all or for the listed portions of the park, and the following closures are established for all or a portion of the park to all public use or to a certain use or activity:
The following limits and activities apply only to lands within the national park boundary that are currently owned and administered by the National Park Service. Lands include Overlook Park, located at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501, and the park’s staff parking lot and maintenance building, located 65 McBride Avenue Extension.
Visiting Hours: Hours of Operation of Overlook Park: The visitor parking lot and grounds of Overlook Park are open to visitation all year, from dawn to dusk. The parking lot is cleared and the gates to the lot secured sometime after dark by local law enforcement. The parking lot is re-opened for visitors by park staff every morning between the hours of 7:30 – 8:30 am.
Portable restroom facilities are in Overlook Park and are generally open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m each day as staffing permits.
Closures: All park buildings are for staff maintenance and administration purposes only and are therefore closed to the public, except as specifically authorized and/or escorted by park staff. The parking lot at 65 McBride Avenue next to the maintenance building is for staff only, except as specifically authorized by park staff.
Determination: The Superintendent has determined that these closures are necessary for the safety of park visitors and staff, the protection of historic resources, and for the operation of the national park.
(a)(2) Designate Areas for a specific use or activity or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity:
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
Areas Designated for a Specific Use or Activity:
First Amendment activity designated area, see Appendix.
The following restrictions and/or conditions are in effect for the specific uses or activities noted:
Justification: This restriction is necessary to prevent unacceptable impacts to park resources and values from the use of uncrewed aircraft. Potential impacts include harming visitors, interfering with rescue operations, causing excessive noise, impacting viewsheds, and disturbing wildlife. This restriction is required by NPS Reference Manual #60: Aviation Management, Chapter 12 – Uncrewed Aircraft Systems.
Vehicles:
Determination: The above designations are based upon a determination that such conditions are necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental and cultural values, protection of natural and cultural resources and the equitable allocation and use of the park.
CCTV Policy Statement
II. 36 CFR §1.6 – ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE A PERMIT
The Superintendent will act upon a permit request within 10 days of receiving a complete permit application. Accordingly, permit applications must be received at least 4-6 weeks before the anticipated activity. Permit applications must be accompanied by a non-refundable application fee, except for First Amendment demonstration permit applications. Additional use and monitoring fees may be charged in accordance with established policy and procedures.
Permit applications should be sent to:
Paterson Great Falls NHP Attn. Special Park Uses Coordinator 72 McBride Avenue Paterson, NJ 07501 or e-mail: Miguel_Ruiz@nps.gov Phone: 973-523-0370
(f) The following is a compilation of those activities for which a permit from the Superintendent may be required, and the regulations governing each:
Special Events – 36 CFR 2.50 (a) Public assemblies and meetings – 36 CFR 2.51 (a) Distribution of printed matter – 36 CFR 2.52 (a) Memorialization – 36 CFR 2.62 (b) Advertisements – 36 CFR 2.51 Commercial Vehicles – 36 CFR 5.6
III. DESIGNATIONS UNDER GENERAL REGULATIONS
III. GENERAL REGULATIONS 36 CFR §2.1 - PRESERVATION OF NATURAL, CULTURAL AND ARCHEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Justification: Casting and retrieving a line along the river walk may hook unexpecting visitors and cause a significant visitor use conflict. This action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety. 36 CFR §2.4 - WEAPONS, TRAPS, AND NETS 36 CFR §2.10 - CAMPING and FOOD STORAGE Camping is defined as erecting a tent or shelter of natural or synthetic material, preparing a sleeping bag or other material for use, parking a motor vehicle, motorhome or trailer, or mooring a vessel for the apparent purpose of overnight occupancy. (a) Camping is prohibited in Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. (d) No food storage conditions designated. Determination: 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 36 CFR §2.13– FIRES (a)(1) The lighting or maintaining of fires is prohibited, except in the following areas and/or receptacles, under the conditions noted:
Determination: 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. 36 CFR §2.11 – PICNICKING
Picnicking is permitted in the park unless otherwise designated. Large groups and private event picnics are not allowed unless part of an approved permit (section II Activities That Require a Permit).
36 CFR §2.20 – SKATING, SKATEBOARDS and SIMILAR DEVICES
Using roller skates, skateboards, roller skis, coasting vehicles, or similar devices is prohibited, except in the following designated areas:
Roller skates, skateboards and similar devices are prohibited for use in the park, except if the user(s) is traversing the park enroute to location(s) where such devices are permitted.
36 CFR §2.21 – SMOKING
(a) The following portions of the park, or all or portions of buildings, structures or facilities are closed to smoking as noted:
Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of all government buildings.
The use of e-cigarettes and other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are subject to the same restrictions as tobacco smoking.
36 CFR §2.35 – ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (a)(3)(i) The following public use areas, portions of public use areas, and/or public facilities within the park are closed to 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:
Justification: The park is closed to alcohol consumption because such activity is inappropriate considering the other uses of the park and the purpose for which the park was established and is maintained. 36 CFR §2.51 -- DEMONSTRATIONS
(b) Demonstrations of more than 25 people are allowed within park areas designated as available under paragraph (c)(2) when the superintendent has issued a permit for the activity.
(c)(2) The following locations are designated as available for demonstrations:
For demonstrations of 25 people or less the designated First Amendment space is the north side of the Overlook Parking Lot to the right of the Alexander Hamilton at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson NJ 07501. The designated area is shown in the attached appendix.
Determination: These designated locations are based upon a determination that such locations will not negatively impact park resources, unreasonably interfere with park operations, impair public facility use, create a danger to public health and safety, or unreasonably impair the atmosphere of peace and tranquility maintained in the historic zones. These locations are available for any group without a permit, provided they are fulfilling the small group exception of less than 25 people.
36 CFR §2.52 -- SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRINTED MATTER
(b) The sale or distribution of printed matter by more than 25 persons is allowed within park areas designated as available under §2.51(c)(2) (see above) when the superintendent has issued a permit.
The sale or distribution of printed matter by 25 people or less is allowed within the park area designated as available under 2.51(c)(2) (above).
36 CFR §4.30 – BICYCLES
(a) The use of a bicycle is allowed in parking areas and on routes designated for bicycle use. Park areas that are allowed to bicycle use are listed in §1.5 of this document.
Bicycles are permitted in the visitor parking lot in Overlook Park at 72 McBride Avenue Extension, but are prohibited on all pedestrian pathways.
e-Bikes 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 h.p.).
E-bikes are allowed in Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, 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 Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park 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.
Appendix: Designated Demonstration Area (36 CFR 2.51, 2.52) The designated First Amendment space is on the north side of the Overlook Parking Lot to the right of the Alexander Hamilton Statue (indicated by red outline on the map). 
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Last updated: April 8, 2026