⚖ Violation Reference
NYC Parks — Curfew Violation (After Hours)
NYC Parks Dept Rules (56 RCNY § 1-03) · Parks
Legal information only — not legal advice. B-Legal is not a law firm and use of this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed attorney before acting.
Overview
Being in a NYC park after closing hours (generally 1:00 AM to sunrise, but varies by park). Some parks have earlier closings posted. Parks Enforcement Patrol (PEP) officers or NYPD may issue.
Fine Range
$50–$100
Surcharge
$88 if criminal summons
How to Contest
- Appear at ECB or Criminal Court depending on summons type
- Challenge the posted hours vs. actual time
- Present evidence you were exiting, not loitering
Common Defenses
- Exiting prior to enforcement
- Hours not clearly posted
- Emergency circumstances
- Public right-of-way argument for some paths
Legal Information Only. This reference is sourced from publicly available NYC/NYS law. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed attorney before taking any action on a legal matter. Need representation? Find an attorney →