Haverhill, MA Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 175-2
- Park curfew hours
- 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Merrimack River Park hours
- 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- River Park season
- Open June 1 to October 1 only
- Boat dock curfew
- 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.
- Fine
- $50 per offense (§175-3)
Summary
In the City of Haverhill, City Code § 175-2 closes Bradford Common, G.A.R. Park and Merrimack River Park to loitering between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. at Merrimack River Park), and bars the City-owned river boat docks, ramps and boardwalk from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., unless the Mayor and Police Chief jointly grant written permission.
§ 175-2. Loitering in Bradford Common, G.A.R. Park and Merrimack River Park prohibited; hours. ... No person or group of persons, whether in vehicles or otherwise, shall stand, loiter, remain in and/or about the Bradford Common, G.A.R. Park and Merrimack River Park or any street, way or sidewalk to which the public has access and which is adjacent thereto, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., inclusive, or between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. for Merrimack River Park only, inclusive, unless joint written permission is obtained from the Mayor and the Chief of Police. The Merrimack River Park shall only be open to the public from June 1 to October 1. No person or group of persons, whether in boats, vehicles or otherwise, shall stand, loiter, remain in and/or about the City-owned Merrimack River boat docks and ramps or the boardwalk adjacent to the Phoenix Row parking lot between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m., inclusive, unless joint written permission is obtained from the Mayor or the Chief of Police.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 175-2 closes three specific public spaces to loitering: Bradford Common, G.A.R. Park and Merrimack River Park, along with "any street, way or sidewalk to which the public has access and which is adjacent thereto." No person or group, in a vehicle or on foot, may "stand, loiter, remain in and/or about" those areas between 8:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., except that the curfew at Merrimack River Park runs from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. instead. The section adds that "the Merrimack River Park shall only be open to the public from June 1 to October 1," so outside that season the park is closed to the public entirely rather than merely under an overnight curfew.
The same section separately closes the City-owned Merrimack River boat docks and ramps, and the boardwalk next to the Phoenix Row parking lot, to anyone loitering there between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Any of these curfews can be lifted only by "joint written permission" from the Mayor and the Chief of Police for the parks, or from the Mayor or the Chief of Police for the river docks and boardwalk. § 175-2 was added in 1978 (Doc. 206) and amended four times since, most recently in 2015 (Doc.
121), reflecting the City Council's continued adjustment of curfew hours as park use has changed. Violations are enforced under § 175-3, the same penalty section that governs Chapter 175's obstruction rules.
Violations & Fines
Loitering in Bradford Common, G.A.R. Park, Merrimack River Park, the adjacent public ways, or the Merrimack River docks and boardwalk after curfew is punishable under § 175-3 by a $50 fine for each offense, and "any failure or refusal as above defined shall constitute a separate and continuing violation," so an individual who remains after being told to leave can be fined again for continued presence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Haverhill's parks close under the curfew rule?
Is Merrimack River Park open year-round?
Can someone get permission to be in a park after curfew?
What is the penalty for violating the park curfew?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Haverhill
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