Earlier this summer, Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department began early nighttime park closures following recent incidents where large groups of youth, ranging in ages from 10-18, caused property damage at several park facilities during evening group bicycle rides.

Earlier this summer, Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department began early nighttime park closures...

Earlier this summer, Boulder’s Parks and Recreation Department began early nighttime park closures following recent incidents where large groups of youth, ranging in ages from 10-18, caused property damage at several park facilities during evening group bicycle rides.

From June 29 – July 27 on Thursday nights, the city closed all parks early at 9 p.m. instead of its standard closing time of 11 p.m. to discourage property damage. Boulder Police Department officers had also been on hand Thursday nights to discourage large group gatherings and maintain public safety.

Thanks to staff and our community members’ efforts to spread the word and use the parks the way they are intended, we were all able to discourage the negative behavior. As a result, the emergency rule will expire. Normal park operating hours of 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. are in effect again as of July 29.

“We really appreciate the immediate community response to this issue and we’re thrilled to return to normal hours, to not have to spend money on vandalism, and to allow our police officers to focus on more important life safety matters,” said Parks and Recreation Director Ali Rhodes. “We are grateful for the community’s continued support of parks as places where people can connect safely with nature and each other.”

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