Harrisburg, PA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

The Harrisburg Codified Ordinances do not print a single opening or closing time for the City's parks. Section 10-301.19(A) says that, except for unusual and unforeseen emergencies, parks are open to the public every day of the year during hours designated by the Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Enrichment, and that the opening and closing hours for each individual park are posted in that park for public information. The posted sign in each park is the source for its hours.

There is one printed after-hours exception. By special permit issued by the Director, persons can use the lower level of Riverfront Park between Maclay Street and the Dock Street Dam for night fishing after those hours when the park is posted as open to the public. That language was amended 7-3-2007 by Ord. No. 11-2007.

Section 10-301.19(B) gives the Department broad closing power. Any section or part of any park can be declared closed to the public at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals daily or otherwise, and either entirely or only for certain uses, as the Director finds reasonably necessary for the maintenance and operation of the parks and the enforcement of any law, ordinance, rule or regulation.

A closure is enforced through § 10-301.17(E): no person enters any area in any park posted as "Closed to the Public," and no person uses, aids or abets the use of any area in violation of posted notices. Section 10-301.17(I) adds that anyone using a park area or a specific activity that needs a Department permit must produce and exhibit the permit on request of any authorized person inspecting for compliance.

Other behavior rules apply while a park is open. Section 10-301.17 bans alcoholic beverages and controlled substances in any park, except alcoholic beverages on City Island as provided in §§ 10-303.1 and 10-303.2, bars glass containers without the Director's prior written permission, and bars disorderly conduct as defined in Chapter 3-341. Section 10-301.15 prohibits camping in a park outside permanent areas for organized camping provided by the Department.