Permits & Reservations

On a snowy Arkansas morning, a Mobil sign hangs in front of the 1950s Magnolia Station located within the NHS; Central High School sits in the background of the photo.

NPS Photo

 

For questions about any of these processes, please call Little Rock Central High School NHS at 501-515-9603.

Special Use Permits

The Special Use Permit (SUP) is a valuable tool used by parks to manage non-routine activities in parks to protect park resources and values and minimize impacts to visitors and park operations.

Certain activities at Little Rock Central High School NHS require that you obtain a Special Use Permit (SUP) prior to your visit. These include many types of organized gatherings, distribution of printed material and other public expressions of opinion, and other activities that are controlled (more information below). It is the policy of the National Park Service (NPS) to allow special uses that are not in conflict with law or policy; will not result in derogation of the values and purposes for which the park was established; do not present a threat to public safety or property and do not unduly interfere with normal park operations, resource protection, or visitor use.

Simple requests can often be processed in a few days; requests that involve multiple locations, complex logistics, or coordination with other NPS divisions or visitor activities will typically require a minimum of two weeks to process.

• Download the Application for Special Use Permit (fillable pdf)
• Email completed application to [e-mail].
• Fees vary depending on the Special Use.

Little Rock Central High School NHS has the authority and responsibility to evaluate applicant requests, permit, manage, and/or deny all special uses within the park. Therefore, before any permit will be granted, consideration will be given to potential park resource impacts, as well as impacts to visitor use, access to park sites, or park administration. There are cost recovery fees associated with the administration and management of special use permits for costs incurred by the park. Special permit use guidelines state that "it is the policy of the NPS to charge permit fees for special uses. Permit fees should reflect the fair market value of a benefit provided the permittee. The fair market value of a special use is the value of the lands or facilities used and the NPS cost incurred in managing, facilitating, or supporting the use."

What is "Special Use"?

A special permit use is defined as a short-term activity that takes place in a park area, and that:

• Provides a benefit to an individual, group, or organization rather than the public at large;
• Requires written authorization and some degree of management control from the National Park Service (NPS) in order to protect park resources and the public interest;
• Is not prohibited by law or regulation; is not initiated, sponsored, or conducted by the NPS; and is not managed under a concession contract, a recreation activity for which the NPS charges a fee, or a lease.

A special use permit must be issued by the Office of the Superintendent before a special event can take place on federal lands within Little Rock Central High School NHS. Permits for special events will be issued pursuant to standards established in Directors Order and Reference Manual 53 and 36 CFR. You must submit an application with any applicable fees and receive authorization in advance of your event from the Office of the Superintendent; an application for a special use permit must be received in writing by the Superintendent at least ten business days before the event.

These activities may include:

• a sports event, pageant, regatta, public spectator attraction, entertainment, ceremony, and similar event

• public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades and other public expressions of views
  • See below First Amendment Activities for information
• the sale or distribution of printed matter that is not solely commercial advertising
  • The sale and distribution of printed matter is allowed provided that a special use permit has been issued by the office of the superintendent and provided the printed matter is not solely commercial advertising. The location authorized for this activity will be designated by the Superintendent.Permits of this type are necessary to control the sale or distribution of printed mater since such activity may conflict with the overall safety and enjoyment of the historic site by the majority of visitors. To ensure the exercise of First Amendment rights, the free distribution of message bearing items to the public other than printed matter, so long as the activity occurs within the designated First Amendment area and complies with First Amendment activities. Examples of message-bearing items that may be distributed for free include CDs, DVDs, and other readable electronic media. Such items must be distributed free of charge, and individuals may not ask or demand payment or request a donation in exchange for the item, which would violate 36 CFR 5.3.
• the display, posting or distribution of advertisements
• requests for an early opening or late closing of facilities

• engaging in or soliciting any business - requires a permit, contract or other written agreement with the United States, or must be pursuant to special regulations

• still photography of vehicles or other articles of commerce or models for the purpose of commercial advertising
  • if required, download the Application for Special Use Permit Filming/Still Photography (fillable pdf)

• use of the commemorative garden for groups larger than twelve people

  • Audio devices such as, but not limited to, a radio, tape deck, musical instrument, television set, bullhorn, or public address system may not be used in the commemorative garden unless specifically authorized as part of a special use permit issued pursuant to 36 CFR § 2.50 or 36 CFR § 2.51

 

First Amendment Activities

Freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly are protected rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. However, the courts have recognized that activities associated with the exercise of these rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources. The necessity of a permit to conduct First Amendment activities may be required by the Superintendent by groups of any size but may not be needed by groups that are fewer than 25 in size - a small group.

A small group may not be required to obtain a First Amendment Permit if they are located within our designated First Amendment area, are not using sound amplification, are not soliciting donations, and are not using stages, platforms, or structures.

Small groups are allowed to use hand-carried signs in designated areas without a permit. If individuals or groups want to use tables and chairs, use sound amplification, solicit donations, or use other types of structures, then they will need a permit even if they are in a designated area, no matter the size of their group.

A large group is defined as "more than 25 people" and is required to obtain a First Amendment Permit even if they are utilizing a park designated First Amendment site.

If required,

• Download the Application Special Use Permit Demonstrations and Distribution of Materials (fillable pdf)
• Email completed application to [e-mail].

Types of First Amendment Activities:

• Religious services or ceremonies
• Press conference
• Press coverage of breaking news
• Voter registration
• Collecting signatures on petitions or voter initiatives
• Public demonstration, picketing, assembly or rally for expressing opinion and views
• Sale or distribution of printed material related to free expression of opinion

Type of Activities that are NOT covered by the First Amendment Permit:

• Church picnic or social gathering

• Wedding ceremonies or receptions
• Political fund raiser or other invitation-only political activity or event
• Solicitation of donations
• Community parades, athletics, or sporting events
• Sale of message-bearing clothing, arts and crafts, or similar merchandise

All federal property within Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site may be used for exercising of First Amendment rights EXCEPT:

• Inside the Visitor Center or Magnolia Mobil Station or within 25 feet of any entrance to these buildings
• Within any area planted with ornamental landscapong and covered with mulch or vegetative ground cover other than turf grass
• Within any parking lot

Public assemblies, meetings, gatherings, demonstrations, parades, and other expressions of views are allowed providing a special use permit has been issued by the Office of the Superintendent. Application for a special use permit must be made in writing to the Superintendent at least 48 hours before the event. All permits will be issued with provisions that make clear that permitees may not harass visitors or impede visitors’ mobility into, out of, or within the historic site.These regulations are enacted to ensure the protection of resources, prevent interference with interpretive or other NPS sponsored programs or activities and reduce conflicts with other visitors.

Demonstrations involving 25 persons or fewer may be held without a permit within designated park areas provided that none of the reasons for denying small groups permit exception occur. While it is not mandatory, the organizer is requested to provide reasonable notice of the proposed event to the Superintendent, including whether there is any reason to believe that there may be an attempt to disrupt, protest, or prevent the activity. In the event that two or more groups taking advantage of the small group permit exception seek to use the same designated available area at the same time, and the area cannot reasonably accommodate multiple occupancy, the Superintendent will, whenever possible, direct the later-arriving group to relocate to another nearby designated available area.

** See map for the designated First Amendment area in Little Rock Central High School NHS. **

 

Filming and Still Photography

The National Park Service conserves and protects areas of untold beauty, grandeur and historical importance for current and future generations. The tradition of capturing images of these special places started with explorers who traveled with paint and canvas or primitive cameras. Sharing these images helped inspire the creation of national parks. Today, visitors to national parks continue to memorialize their visits through filming and photography.

On January 4, 2025, the EXPLORE Act was signed into law (Public Law 118-234). Section 125 of the Act changed how the National Park Service will manage filming and photography in park areas.

Key elements of the new law include:

• In most cases, permits and fees are not required for groups of eight individuals or less conducting filming and photography. In order to avoid permit and fee requirements, the filming or photography must:
• (1) occur in areas open to the public;
• (2) use hand-carried equipment only;
• (3) not require exclusive use of a site; and
• (4) not adversely impact park resources, values, and other visitors.
• Permits and fees are never required for filming and photography that is associated with a permitted event, such as a wedding, sporting event, demonstration or other activity.
• All filming and photography is treated the same under the new law. It does not matter whether it is commercial, non-commercial, or conducted by media or for news gathering.
• When a permit is required, the National Park Service may charge application and location fees.
• Individuals and groups exempt from permit and fee requirements for filming or photography remain subject to all other laws and regulations that apply in park areas, including those prohibiting disturbance or other negative impacts to resources.

Please contact Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site for more information about filming and photography in the park.

Requests for filming or still photography involving more than eight individuals require a permit and should be processed appropriately and all cost recovery and location fees collected as authorized.