U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell’s (D-NJ-08) long held vision for a Paterson national park today won the Congressional support necessary to become a reality.  H.R. 189, the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park Act of 2007, which Pascrell authored and introduced with the support of New Jersey’s governor and entire congressional delegation, was approved today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 256-122.

“This is a landmark moment for the city of Paterson and whole state of New Jersey,” stated Pascrell.  “I thank my colleagues in the House of Representatives for joining with the people of New Jersey to truly acknowledge the incredible historic significance and natural splendor of Paterson’s Great Falls.  A Paterson Great Falls national park designation represents countless economic, recreational, cultural and educational opportunities for one of America’s most densely populated, diverse and historic urban communities.  I have worked with scores of community leaders, historians, and government officials for years to establish this park, and we will not rest until those brown National Park Service signs line the streets of Paterson.”

“The Great Falls in Paterson is a landmark that deserves recognition as a national historic park.  Giving the Great Falls this designation would go a long way toward recognizing the beauty and history of the site and helping preserve it for future generations,” said Sen. Frank Lautenberg.

“I applaud my colleagues in the House for recognizing the rich history represented by the Great Falls of Paterson.  This park embodies Alexander Hamilton’s vision to transform a rural agrarian society based in slavery into a modern global economy based in freedom.  I will continue to work in the Senate to protect and recognize this historic site,” said Sen. Menendez, member of the National Parks Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

"Paterson's Great Falls is a wonder to behold and provides a natural oasis in the center of an urban metropolis.  As a United States Senator I co-sponsored legislation to designate Great Falls a national park, and I'm pleased that Congressman Pascrell has fought to protect this space,” stated Governor Jon S. Corzine.

The Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park Act would designate about 109 acres of the Paterson Great Falls Historic District as a new unit of the National Park Service (NPS).  In addition to operating the historical park, the NPS would restore and preserve historic structures, and create interpretive programs and materials such as signs and wayside exhibits.

The legislation would provide for public participation in the park’s management.  A commission would be created to assist and advise the Interior Secretary in the development and implementation of the general management plan for the park.  Membership on the commission would consist of nine members recommended by the Governor, Paterson City Council, and Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.  Each member would be appointed by the Interior Secretary to serve three years terms free of pay.

In addition, the legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to complete a study regarding the preservation and interpretation of Hinchliffe Stadium that would assess the potential for listing as a National Historic Landmark and include options for maintaining the stadium’s historic legacy.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the park would cost $22 million combined from the years 2008 through 2012, and only $1 million a year thereafter.

Rep. Pascrell brought Great Falls National Park initiative to Congress in 2001 when he passed legislation that directed the Secretary of the Interior Department to study the suitability of designating the Great Falls Historic District as part of the national park system.  The NPS completed and published its study in the fall of 2006.  Although the study noted the exceptional natural, cultural and historic significance that characterizes the Great Falls National Historic District, an act of Congress is necessary to include a potential site within the NPS inventory.  

Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez are the main sponsors of the legislation in the Senate.  On September 27, 2007 the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a productive hearing on S. 148, the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park Act of 2007.

“We’ve won a long, uphill battle to push this initiative through the House.  I am fully confident that with the leadership of Senators Lautenberg and Menendez that my Senate colleagues will embrace the importance of a creating a Paterson Great Falls National Park,” concluded Pascrell.

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