First Amendment Activity

First Amendment Activity

First Amendment activities include freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly. All of these are constitutional rights. However, the courts have recognized that activities and rights may be reasonably regulated to protect park resources.
A small group, defined as "25 people or less," is NOT required to obtain a First Amendment permit if it is located within a park designated site and have no more than leaflets, booklets and/or hand held signs. A permit is required for any small group that:

• wants to hold a demonstration or distribute and/or sell printed matter somewhere outside a designated First Amendment area;
• wants to use equipment (i.e. tables, banners, platforms, etc) even if it is within the designated area;
• is merely an extension of another group already availing itself of the 25 person maximum;
• wants to guarantee they will have priority for the use of a location, including the designated First Amendment areas.

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

For all First Amendment events send in the special use permit that corresponds to the location you wish to utilize. There are no fees associated with First Amendment permits.

At Jamaica Bay Unit, "First Amendment" areas can be seen here on maps of Floyd Bennett Field, Jacob Riis Park and Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge.

At Sandy Hook Unit, "First Amendment" areas can be seen on maps of Fort Hancock, Guardian Park and Parking Lot L.

At Staten Island Unit, "First Amendment" areas can be seen on maps of Fort Wadsworth, Great Kills Park and Miller Field.