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Shawnee County, KS Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Closing time
11:00 p.m. nightly
Reopening time
6:00 a.m. nightly
After-hours exceptions
Camping, boating, fishing, authorized activities only
Authorization needed
Prior written OK from parks director
First-offense fine
$50.00 under Sec. 2-132(a)(8)
Applies to
All 90+ listed county parks

Summary

Every Shawnee County park and recreation facility closes at 11:00 p.m. and reopens at 6:00 a.m. under Code Sec. 21-37, unless a visitor is camping, boating, fishing, or engaged in a special activity the parks director has authorized in writing in advance. Being in a park after hours without that written authorization violates the county's park-use rules.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Shawnee County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

All parks and recreation facilities are closed from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. unless engaged in camping, boating, fishing, or special authorized activities. Such special activities must have the prior written authorization from the director of parks and recreation or a duly authorized designee.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 1).

Full Breakdown

The curfew in Sec. 21-37 applies to every facility the parks and recreation department lists in Sec. 21-31, all 90-plus parks, greenways, boat ramps, and golf courses spanning the county, from Gage Park to Lake Shawnee and its surrounding parkland. " Camping itself is separately restricted under Sec. 21-45 to areas the department has designated as public camping areas, so an overnight stay past curfew without that camping designation and written sign-off is a double violation. Park police and other persons the county authorizes under Sec.

21-32 patrol for curfew violations and may arrest violators or eject anyone who disobeys a lawful order to leave. Because the curfew sits within the same Article II "Park Use Rules and Regulations" as the county's other park conduct rules, a curfew violation is processed the same way: through the parks director's suspension or revocation authority in Sec. 21-6, with a right to appeal to the county clerk within five days for a hearing before the board of county commissioners.

Violations & Fines

Being in a county park between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a camping, boating, fishing, or director-approved special-activity authorization violates Sec. 21-37 and is fined under Code Sec. 2-132(a)(8)'s park rules violation schedule: $50.00 first offense, $100.00 second, and $500.00 third. The parks director may also suspend or revoke a violator's park privileges for up to one year under Sec. 21-6(a).

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do Shawnee County parks close?
All county parks and recreation facilities close at 11:00 p.m. and reopen at 6:00 a.m. under Code Sec. 21-37. The only people allowed in after 11 p.m. are those camping, boating, or fishing, or taking part in a special activity the parks director has approved in writing beforehand.
Can I stay overnight at a Shawnee County park to camp?
Only in areas the parks and recreation department has designated for public camping under Sec. 21-45. Camping outside a designated area, or staying past 11:00 p.m. anywhere else in the park without written authorization from the parks director, violates both the curfew and the camping rule.
What's the penalty for being in a park after curfew?
A first conviction costs $50.00, a second costs $100.00, and a third costs $500.00 under the county's park rules violation fine schedule, Code Sec. 2-132(a)(8). The parks director can also suspend or revoke your park access privileges for up to a year under Sec. 21-6(a).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Shawnee County

Noise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Bird ProtectionHeavy RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Cat RulesFew Restrictions

All Shawnee County rules

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