From Vision to Reality, Part 1: How Paterson’s Great Falls Reached the National Stage
November 12, 2026
Watch our video from the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park 15th Anniversary Celebration
View our photo album from the day's events
Great things don’t happen overnight. They begin with a vision, take shape through collaboration, and become reality through years of persistence. That spirit was celebrated on November 6, when community leaders, elected officials, and longtime advocates gathered at Overlook Park to mark the park’s 15th anniversary.
Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Great Falls, the celebration commemorated the park’s establishment in 2011 — a milestone that secured federal recognition for one of America’s most significant natural and industrial landmarks. For NJCDC, an early advocate for the park’s creation, the anniversary was especially meaningful.
A Long Campaign for National Recognition
The Great Falls have long been central to Paterson’s identity. More than two centuries ago, Alexander Hamilton recognized the power of the falls as the foundation for a new industrial city, helping establish Paterson as America’s first planned industrial city.
Generations later, a dedicated coalition sought to ensure that this history received the national recognition it deserved. NJCDC was among the organizations championing the effort for more than a decade. When early attempts to secure National Park Service designation encountered obstacles, advocates pursued congressional legislation, succeeding in 2009 when President Barack Obama signed the bill authorizing the park.
The effort was driven by a dedicated coalition of advocates and community leaders who worked tirelessly over many years to make the park a reality. Among them were the late Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. and Senator Frank Lautenberg, who championed the effort in Washington; Leonard Zax, whose early leadership and tireless advocacy helped build momentum; and Pat and Mary Ellen Kramer and Frank Blesso, whose dedication and contributions were instrumental in advancing the vision. Together, their persistence helped secure a lasting place for the Great Falls on the national stage.
Following the park’s establishment, NJCDC Founder & CEO Bob Guarasci served for a decade on its Federal Advisory Commission, helping shape a long-term vision for the landmark and its surrounding historic district. NJCDC also partnered with the National Park Service to engage local youth in the park’s stewardship and educational programming.
“We believed then, as we do now, that the Great Falls is one of America’s greatest treasures, and that its story deserves to be told on nothing less than a national stage,” Bob reflected during the anniversary celebration.
Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future
Hosted by the National Park Service and the Hamilton Partnership for Paterson, the celebration featured remarks from Park Superintendent Darren Boch, Hamilton Partnership Executive Director Stephanie Cullins, Passaic County Commissioner Orlando Cruz, Mayor Andre Sayegh, and other community leaders.
The Paterson Music Project provided musical performances, while local artist Joel “YOBE” Beleno unveiled America Untold, a community-inspired mural celebrating Paterson’s diverse history and cultures as part of the nation’s America250 commemoration. NJCDC was proud to support the celebration, including by sponsoring the anniversary cake.
But the occasion was about more than commemorating a historic achievement. It was also a chance to look ahead. Today, NJCDC continues to invest in the neighborhood surrounding the falls — from expanding the Great Falls Youth Center to transforming historic buildings into vibrant community spaces and creating new opportunities for local children and families.