New Haven, CT Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Subsection (16) of Sec. 19-5 sets the opening and closing hours for every park, playground and other facility under the Board of Park Commissioners and Parks Department. Except where expressly permitted, no one may enter or remain in a park before 6:00 a.m. or after sunset. A separate, later curfew applies specifically to lighted areas of a park: those close at 10:00 p.m. even though sunset can fall earlier or later depending on the season, so a lit ballfield or path effectively has its own fixed cutoff distinct from the sunset rule governing unlit sections.

The ordinance carves out one geographic exception: access roads into East Rock Park, including Summit Drive (also called Hillhouse Drive), Trowbridge Drive and English Drive, stay open at all times, unless the parks director or a designee determines that public safety is threatened and closes them.

Two further mechanisms adjust the default hours. First, the director may grant a permit allowing entry outside the normal 6 a.m.-to-sunset/10 p.m. window, following procedures the Parks Department establishes. Second, the director may declare any section or all of any park closed to the public at any time and for any length of time, either for facility maintenance or because a group has properly reserved that space, which effectively bars the general public even during otherwise-open hours.

Sec. 19-5(b) sets the penalty structure for the whole rules-of-conduct section, including the curfew: anyone who violates, assists or encourages a violation of these park rules is charged with an offense and, upon conviction, fined up to the maximum amount authorized by state statute or city code, and is also held responsible for the cost of any injury to persons or property the violation caused.