New Park Hours for Minors (under 18)

To assist citywide efforts to improve safety and offer a welcoming environment for all the Board of Park Commissioners voted to amend Park Board Rule 21: Closing Time. The amendment coincides with City Council's ordinance for a special extended curfew district for minors in the Downtown area of Cincinnati including the Central Business District and the Over-The-Rhine neighborhoods.

Updated Park Hours for Minors (under 18):

After 9 pm, minors (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to remain in the following parks: Smale Riverfront Park, the Public Landing, Yeatman’s Cove, Sawyer Point, International Friendship Park, Washington Park and Ziegler Park.

The updated park hours do not apply to those attending an official event supervised by adults and sponsored by either the City of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Parks, or an approved organization. The City of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Parks continue to provide safe, fun programming for teens in our city. For example the upcoming Teen Skate Nights at Sawyer Point will provide wristbands for teens so they can attend the event and stay till the event closes. 

The Updated Park Board Rule:

Rule 21 – Closing Time

Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the parks shall be closed to the public between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except for vehicular traffic on through roadways or vehicular or pedestrian traffic within, accessing, or exiting public parking garages directly connecting to city streets.

Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the following parks shall be closed to the public between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. except for vehicular traffic on through roadways or vehicular or pedestrian traffic within, accessing, or exiting public parking garages directly connecting to city streets:

1. Theodore M. Berry International Friendship Park;

2. Bicentennial Commons at Sawyer Point;

3. The Public Landing;

4. Yeatman’s Cove;

5. Smale Riverfront Park; and

6. Washington Park.

Except as otherwise provided in these rules, the following parks shall be closed between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to any person under the age of eighteen (a “minor”) who is not accompanied by said minor’s parent, guardian, or other adult person having the care, custody, or supervision of said minor:

1. The Public Landing;

2. Smale Riverfront Park;

3. Piatt Park;

4. Washington Park; and

5. Ziegler Park.

This restriction does not apply to any minor who is attending an official activity sponsored by the City of Cincinnati, by a civic or public organization or entity, or by another similar organization or entity, which activity is supervised by adults.

Upon request of an applicant and provided the applicant complies with all obligations set forth herein, a special use permit may extend the closing time to 1:00 a.m., subject to Rule 29, the noise restrictions in Chapter 909 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code, and any other applicable laws. All persons shall leave the parks at or before closing time.

The park board or its agents may close any section or part of any park property to the public at any time and for any interval of time, either temporarily or at regular and stated intervals, for the purpose of maintenance or for the protection of the public health, safety, and welfare.