Jackson, NJ Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- General park hours
- Closed 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Neighborhood park hours
- Closed 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Summer neighborhood hours
- Closed 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
- Enforced by
- Police and Recreation Departments
- Maximum penalty
- $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail
Summary
In Jackson Township, New Jersey, public parks and recreation facilities close to the public between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. under Code § 304-1.G, while neighborhood parks and playgrounds close from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. (8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. in summer). Entering a closed park is prohibited conduct enforced by the Police and Recreation Departments.
§ 304-1. Prohibited conduct. ... The following conduct shall be prohibited within the limits of public parks and recreation facilities of the Township of Jackson, including neighborhood parks, playgrounds, miniparks and other Township recreation facilities: ... ... G. Entry or presence upon or within a park during periods when the same is closed to the public. Except for programs specifically scheduled by the Recreation Department at other hours, parks shall be closed to the public between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Neighborhood parks and neighborhood playgrounds, miniparks and other neighborhood recreation facilities shall be closed to the public from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., except that from Memorial Day to Labor Day, such facilities shall have summer hours and shall be closed from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Full Breakdown
Section 304-1 of the Jackson Township Code lists prohibited conduct in every public park, playground, minipark and other Township recreation facility, and subsection G sets the hours those grounds are open. Township-wide parks close between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., except when the Recreation Department has scheduled a program for other hours. Neighborhood parks, neighborhood playgrounds, miniparks and other neighborhood recreation facilities run on a tighter schedule: closed from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. year-round, except that from Memorial Day to Labor Day they switch to summer hours and close from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Entering or remaining in a park during closed hours is listed alongside other banned conduct in the same section, including damaging park property, letting a dog run unleashed outside authorized programs, unpermitted sales or exhibitions, and possessing weapons. Section 304-7 makes the Police Department and the Recreation Department jointly responsible for enforcing the article. Because § 304-1 does not set its own separate fine, a violation falls under the general Chapter 304 penalty in § 304-8: municipal court can impose a fine of up to $1,000 plus escalating community service (up to 15 hours for a first offense, 30 for a second, 50 for a third and later offense), or up to 30 days in the Ocean County Jail.
The curfew applies to the general Township park system; the separate Camp Joy Municipal Recreation Area in Article II has its own hours and permit rules.
Violations & Fines
Being in a Jackson Township park after closing violates § 304-1.G, punishable under the Chapter 304 general penalty in § 304-8: a fine of up to $1,000, community service starting at 15 hours and rising to 50 hours for repeat offenses, and/or imprisonment in the County Jail for up to 30 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Jackson Township parks close?
Do neighborhood parks have different hours than other parks?
What's the penalty for being in a Jackson Township park after hours?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jackson
Compare Jackson to another location·View the New Jersey curfew laws overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle park curfew.