New Castle County, DE Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- New Castle County Code § 24.01.002
- Rule
- No one in County parks after dark
- Exceptions
- Extended-use areas or written DPW permission
- First-offense fine
- At least $100
- Enforced by
- Public Works, Land Use, Public Safety
Summary
New Castle County closes all County parks during hours of darkness, with exceptions only for areas designated for extended-use activities or programs authorized in writing by the Department of Public Works.
No persons are permitted in any park during the hours of darkness, except in those areas designated for extended use activities or unless written permission is obtained from the Department of Public Works for after-dark programs.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
County Code § 24.01.002 bars anyone from being in a New Castle County park after dark, full stop: the only carve-outs are areas the County has designated for extended-use activities and after-dark programs with written permission from the Department of Public Works. The rule covers County-owned parks only; Wilmington and Newark run their own park systems under their own municipal codes, not this chapter. Park staff, Land Use, and Public Safety officers enforce it, and violators face the Code's general penalty: a fine starting at $100 for a first conviction, rising to $500 or more for repeat offenses within twelve months.
Violations & Fines
First conviction: fine of at least $100. Second conviction within twelve months: $125-$500. Third or later: $150-$1,000 fine, up to 30 days jail, or both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit a New Castle County park at night?
Does this curfew apply to Wilmington or Newark parks?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Castle County
Compare New Castle County to another location·View the Delaware curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.