Archived News Release: January 22, 2016 - Effective Feb. 1, 2016, the smoking ban in city parks will be extended to include all parks, with exceptions (Cobblestone Farms and the City Golf Courses — Huron Hills and Leslie Park). There are 159 parks in the city parks system.
Ordinance 14-03, which prohibits use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes and e-cigarettes, initially took effect one year ago in 73 city parks with playgrounds and four downtown parks.
"The ban on smoking has, overall, been well received by parks users over the past year," said City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services Manager Colin Smith. "With close to all city parks now becoming smoke free, we will be better equipped than ever to provide clean, safe and healthy facilities for our park users to enjoy."
More than 1,200 municipal park systems across the country are smoke free, such as Chicago, Berkley, Boulder, Portland and Des Moines, and including Michigan municipalities of Traverse City, Howell, Huntington Woods and others.
Signage noting the smoking ban will be posted at the 156 parks. The goal is to obtain no-smoking compliance at parks and playgrounds primarily through education efforts and warnings. When needed, reminders of smoking restrictions will be provided by city parks and recreation staff, however, non-compliance enforcement will be directed to the Ann Arbor Police Department. Per ordinance, citizens who refuse to comply could face up to a $25 fine.
To learn more about City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation, visit www.a2gov.org/parks.
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