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County defends park gate program, moves to earlier seasonal closing to deter nighttime use

New Castle County Public Works Committee ยท November 4, 2025

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Summary

Public Works said electronic gates at nine parks will be set to open at 5:00 a.m. and close seasonally at 6:30 p.m.; staff said gates allow exit, pedestrians can bypass gates and county will monitor performance and signage.

Cleon Cawley, General Manager for Public Works, updated the committee on the county's electronic park gate program, which he said is installed at nine parks as an effort to discourage nighttime entry.

"The goal of those gates is really to discourage folks from entering the parks at night," Cawley said, and described the program's operating hours. He said the county implemented a 5:00 a.m. opening and a 9:30 p.m. closing for spring'summer and will change to a 6:30 p.m. closing as daylight shortens; staff will monitor performance and adjust if needed.

Cawley said gates are being accompanied by clear signage at each location and that gates are configured to open to allow vehicles to exit; pedestrians can walk around the gates. He added that the county coordinates with public-safety staff to respond when necessary and will evaluate expanding the program beyond the nine existing installations.

Councilmembers confirmed the gates in their districts and praised the measure; one asked whether all gates are programmed to 6:30 p.m. and Cawley affirmed they should be. Members noted that installation timelines can take years in some districts.