Evanston, IL Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Park hours
- 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
- Playground/tot lot hours
- 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
- Lakefront fishing hours
- 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., April-October
- After-hours penalty
- $20 to $750 fine, per day
- Enforcing agency
- City Manager and designees
Summary
Evanston parks close overnight, open only from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with playgrounds and tot lots limited to 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; being in a park outside those hours is unlawful.
(A)Playgrounds/Tot Lots. ...the hours of operation of any public playground or tot lot shall be eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. to nine o'clock (9:00) P.M. daily. (B)Parks. ...the hours of operation of public parks shall be six o'clock (6:00) A.M. to eleven o'clock (11:00) P.M. daily. (C)Prohibited Acts. It shall be unlawful for any person to use, occupy, play in, lounge about or loiter in any park or playground or building or structure therein at times other than those designated as hours of operation herein.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 21).
Full Breakdown
Section 7-10-2 sets separate hours for playgrounds and tot lots (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., for children ages two through twelve and two through five respectively) and for parks generally (6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.), unless a specific park has different posted hours. Lakefront fishing is separately limited to 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. from April through October. Subsection (C) makes it unlawful to use, occupy, play in, lounge about, or loiter in any park, playground, or park building or structure outside the designated hours of operation.
Violations & Fines
Violating park hours or the general park regulations falls under the City's general penalty, Section 1-4-1: a fine of $20 to $750, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Evanston parks close?
Is it illegal to be in an Evanston park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle park curfew.