Paterson jewel reaps $775K for rehab as it celebrates 10th anniversary of national park status
U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) announced today that the National Park Service (NPS) will provide $775,147 to restore the Raceway SUM Gatehouse and Upper Raceway Park at the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Today’s announcement coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Falls officially becoming a national historical park, a status made possible by Rep. Pascrell’s efforts and federal legislation.
The funding announced today is part of the NPS Centennial Challenge program, which provides matching federal funds to restore and rebuild national parks throughout the country. Rep. Pascrell worked closely with NPS to secure this funding for Paterson’s Great Falls.
"The Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park is the gem of the Silk City and that’s why we fought so hard to make it a national historical park. It is imperative we restore its dilapidated features so that future generations may enjoy the Falls as we do. These federal funds are terrific news for Paterson’s national park,” said Rep. Pascrell. “Ten years ago, I stood with then-Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar as he signed documents to officially make the Great Falls a national historical park. It was my legislation that made that day possible, and obtaining national park status for the Falls remains one of my proudest achievements in Congress. I want to thank my friends and partners at the National Park Service and the City of Paterson for helping to make this day possible. I look forward to working with them on the next phase of rehabilitation at our cherished Great Falls.”
“We are profoundly proud of Congressman Pascrell for championing the Great Falls National Park" said Mayor Andre Sayegh. "He continues to deliver federal funding that will afford us an opportunity to turn our treasure into a top-notch tourist destination.”
A lifelong supporter of the environment and national parks, Rep. Pascrell was the proud sponsor of legislation that designated Paterson Great Falls a National Historical Park. The language from the bill was incorporated into the larger Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009, which was signed into law by President Obama in March of 2009. Upon the completion of land use agreements between the State, City and Federal Government, the Great Falls officially became a part of the United States' National Park System. The passage of this legislation was the realization of one of Rep. Pascrell’s top goals since first becoming a Member of Congress. Rep. Pascrell also introduced the Hinchliffe Stadium Heritage Act in 2014, which extended the boundaries of the Great Falls National Park to include Paterson’s cherished stadium.
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