Stratford, CT Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Section 152-6 of the Stratford Code defines "recreational areas" to cover all Town parks, beaches, ponds, forests and other areas used for recreational purposes, including playgrounds, ballfields and docks, and also vehicle parking facilities adjacent to recreational areas. Section 152-7, amended 2-11-2019 by Ordinance No. 18-16, sets the hours: except as otherwise posted, all recreational areas shall be open to the general public from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Because the definition reaches adjacent parking, the closing time applies to the lots as well as the grass and sand.

There are two printed exceptions. The Birdseye Street and Broad Street launching areas are open on a twenty-four-hour basis, but only for the actual launching and retrieving of vessels by those exhibiting valid launching permits. Bonds Dock and the adjacent parking area are open on a twenty-four-hour basis for fishing by those exhibiting valid fishing licenses, but only from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. for all other purposes.

Other sections lean on the posted hours. Section 152-21(E) says no person shall park a vehicle or permit a vehicle to remain parked except during hours posted as authorized for parking, and no vehicle can be parked along any road, trail, path or fire road in a recreational area. Section 152-22(A) allows bathing on a beach only in designated beach areas during hours that the beach area is officially open to the public. In the forest campground, § 152-20 sets quiet between 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., and visitors, whether authorized or not, cannot remain within a campground after posted closing hours.

On enforcement, § 152-24 gives any lifeguard employed by the Town the power, while on duty, to enforce the article's provisions on beaches and public bathing areas, and § 152-26(D) assigns the dock rules to any police officer, peace officer of the State of Connecticut, the Town of Stratford, or the Harbor Master or his deputy.