Essex County parks are open to the public from dawn until 10:00 p.m., with several reservations closing at dusk. No person may be in a county park before or after posted hours without the Director's authorization, under Chapter 74.
Essex County operates the first county park system in the United States, including Branch Brook Park and the South Mountain, Eagle Rock, Hilltop and Mills reservations. Under the county's Rules and Regulations for parks (Chapter 74 of the Code of the County of Essex, adopted by the Board of Chosen Freeholders under N.J.S.A. 40:41A-38), all Essex County parks are open to the public from dawn until 10:00 p.m., except that South Mountain Reservation, West Essex Park, Eagle Rock Reservation, Hilltop Reservation, Mills Reservation and Riker Hill Art Park close at dusk, while the Highlawn Pavilion complex and the Orange Reservoir pathway stay open until midnight. The Director may close any park at any time. Being in a park after hours
Being in a county park before or after posted hours without authorization violates Chapter 74 and is subject to enforcement by the Essex County Sheriff and penalties set in the park ordinance.
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