Wilmington, DE Curfew Laws: Park Curfew (2026)
Key Facts
- Park hours
- Dawn to dusk only
- Applies to
- City, county, state park land
- Override
- Parks dept. may authorize exceptions
- Penalty
- $50-$500 fine or 30 days jail
Summary
Wilmington closes all city, county, and state park property overnight: no one may be on park land between dusk and dawn without parks department authorization.
It shall be unlawful for any person to be upon any park property owned by the city, whether maintained by the city, or by the county, or by the state, on any day of the week, from dusk of one day to dawn of the following day unless otherwise authorized by the department of parks and recreation. Any person lawfully may be upon any such park at any time between dawn and dusk of the same day, unless otherwise provided by the said department.
(Code 1968, § 39-9(s); Ord. No. 92-053(sub 1), § 26(g), 7-2-92; Ord. No. 94-039, § 1, 7-14-94; Ord. No. 00-064(sub 1), § 1, 7-20-00)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 38-60 bars anyone from being on park property owned by the city, whether maintained by the city, county, or state, from dusk of one day to dawn the next, unless the department of parks and recreation authorizes otherwise. The public is free to use parks between dawn and dusk. Violating any Article III park rule, including the dusk-to-dawn closure, is a misdemeanor under Sec. 38-56 unless a different penalty applies to that specific rule.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor: fine of $50 to $500, up to 30 days imprisonment, or both, per Sec. 38-56.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a permit to be in a Wilmington park after dark?
Does the overnight closure apply to county or state parks in the city?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wilmington
Compare Wilmington to another location·View the Delaware curfew laws overview
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