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Garland County, AR Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Trigger
Remaining in park after 11:00 p.m.
Exception
Boat launching/retrieval
Classification
Misdemeanor
Enforcement agency
Garland County Sheriff's Office

Summary

Garland County Code § 38-34 makes it an offense to loiter in Hill Wheatley Park after its 11:00 p.m. closing time. In unincorporated Garland County, the rule is tied directly to the park's closing hour and carries the same misdemeanor penalty as the county's other Hill Wheatley Park violations, enforced by the Sheriff's Office.

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

Persons found loitering in the park after this time shall be subject to any penalties prescribed by this article; however, this section shall not apply to those persons using the park for the purpose of launching or bringing in their boats.

View official code

Full Breakdown

closing hour for Hill Wheatley Park and separately addresses people who remain in the park after that hour. The section states that "persons found loitering in the park after this time shall be subject to any penalties prescribed by this article," tying the loitering prohibition directly to Article II of chapter 38, which governs the park. The one statutory exception covers people using the park to launch or bring in their boats, since Lake Hamilton borders the property and boaters legitimately need after-hours access to the ramp.

Enforcement runs through section 38-32, the article's penalty clause, which classifies any violation of the article's provisions, rules and regulations as a misdemeanor. 00 per day if the violation is continuing in nature. m.

Violations & Fines

Loitering in Hill Wheatley Park after its 11:00 p.m. closing is a misdemeanor under Garland County Code § 38-34 and § 38-32, subject to the general penalty in § 1-14: up to $500.00 for a first offense, up to $1,000.00 for a repeat offense, or up to $250.00 per day for a continuing violation. The Garland County Sheriff's Office enforces it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is loitering in a Garland County park a crime?
In Hill Wheatley Park, yes, once the park's 11:00 p.m. closing time passes. Garland County Code § 38-34 makes it a citable misdemeanor to remain in the park after closing, enforced under the article's general penalty in section 38-32.
Does the loitering rule apply anywhere else in the county?
The loitering-after-closing language in section 38-34 is written specifically into Article II of chapter 38, which governs Hill Wheatley Park. Nothing in that chapter extends the same rule to other county parks or public land.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Garland County

Animal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: FireworksSome Restrictions

All Garland County rules

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