Great Falls National Park Designation Falls Short

A move to designate the Great Falls in Paterson, New Jersey fell short as the National Park Service refused to add the Falls to the roster of National Parks.

The National Park Service rejected Paterson's application Monday for the Great Falls to become a national park -- citing financial constraints and its stock of current parks that already offer visitors similar natural, cultural and historic elements.

In its 100-page report, the National Park Service found the 77-foot falls historically significant, but not suitable as a full-blown national park. Instead, the study suggested that the park apply to become an "affiliated site," which means less federal oversight and funding.

Despite the findings, Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-Paterson, vowed Monday to get the Great Falls designated a national park by act of Congress. Local officials and activists blamed the Bush administration's push to maintain the current number of parks -- already under tight financial constraints -- rather than add more.

All those complaining about the Bush Administration should be more helpful in pointing out where exactly the money would come from to designate the falls as a national park.

I'm all for creating a national park at the Great Falls and improving the surrounding areas - it is an urban oasis that is largely overlooked because of crime, blight, and a community that for years did not see the falls as a resource for wonderment, tourism, and economic revivial. Getting a state park designation will go a long way to achieving that goal, and even there, there's questions about funding the project. I do find the NPS argument that the cultural and historic importance of the falls is replicated elsewhere in the system. Nowhere else does Alexander Hamilton's foresight and vision come through as at the Falls, which was where he helped usher in the American Industrial Revolution and sparked an industrial renaissance along the Passaic River.

However, supporters of designating the falls a national park can always try again. In the meantime, they should spend more time arranging financing and support for the state park proposal so that the Falls and its surrounding parks can be upgraded and access improved.

HT: Mrs. Lawhawk.