Milwaukee, WI Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard hours
- Closed midnight to 5 a.m. daily
- Lakefront exception
- Lakefront parks reopen at 4:30 a.m.
- Vehicle exception
- Through vehicular traffic exempt
- Enforced by
- Milwaukee County Parks Department
- Citation
- Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 63-3
Summary
Milwaukee closes all city parks and parkways daily from midnight to 5 a.m., except lakefront parks near Lake Michigan, which open at 4:30 a.m.; entry during closed hours is prohibited.
Parks, other than those adjacent to Lake Michigan, and parkways shall be closed daily between midnight and 5 a.m., except as otherwise posted by the director. Parks adjacent to Lake Michigan shall open at 4:30 a.m. No person shall enter or remain within the parks or parkways, except vehicular traffic, during hours that the parks are closed.
Full Breakdown
Under Milwaukee Code of Ordinances § 63-3, parks and parkways citywide close daily at midnight and reopen at 5 a.m.; parks adjacent to Lake Michigan close at midnight too but reopen earlier, at 4:30 a.m. The Milwaukee County Parks Department, which runs the city's park system under this city ordinance, can post different hours at individual parks. Vehicular traffic passing through on public roadways is exempt, but no person is allowed to enter or remain on foot in a closed park or parkway during the overnight closure. Violations are enforced under the chapter's general parks penalty section, § 63-31.
Violations & Fines
Entering or remaining in a Milwaukee park or parkway between midnight and 5 a.m. (4:30 a.m. for lakefront parks) violates § 63-3 and is enforceable under the chapter's penalty section, § 63-31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do Milwaukee parks close?
Can I drive through a Milwaukee park after midnight?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Milwaukee
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Park Curfew in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Milwaukee County handle park curfew.