Union County, NJ Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)

Park curfews in Union County operate on two systems: Union County Parks (6,200 acres including Watchung Reservation, Echo Lake, Warinanco, Lenape, Nomahegan, Rahway River Parkway) close from dusk to dawn under Union County Parks Department Rule 17, enforced by Union County Park Police (a sworn law enforcement agency). Municipal parks have separate schedules: Elizabeth Revised Ordinances Chapter 12.20 closes Mattano, Elizabeth River, Veteran's Memorial and other city parks at 10 PM (ballfields with lights extended to 10:30 PM for scheduled play); Westfield parks close at dusk (Mindowaskin, Tamaques, Memorial); Summit parks close at dusk (Memorial Field, Briant); Cranford (Nomahegan has county curfew, Hanson Park is municipal, dusk closure); Plainfield and Linden parks 10 PM. Trail systems like the Lenape Trail and Rahway River Parkway technically close with the surrounding parks. After-hours presence constitutes defiant trespass under N.J.S.A. 2C:18-3 (disorderly persons offense). Permitted special events (Summer Arts Festival, concerts, organized sports leagues, fishing derbies) may extend hours with advance written permission from Union County Parks or the relevant municipality. Deer hunting in Watchung Reservation operates under a separate permit system allowing pre-dawn and post-dusk access. Overnight camping is prohibited except at designated scout camp events.