Archived News Release: January 20, 2015 - "The ordinance is intended to protect the health of our park visitors, many of whom are children, by reducing exposure to secondhand smoke, keeping our parks clean by reducing litter and aligning with a national trend toward smoke-free outdoor environments," said Parks Advisory Chair David Santacroce. "Approximately 900 municipal park systems across the country are smoke-free, including Chicago, Berkley, Portland, and Des Moines. Our park users also deserve to benefit from clean, healthy and smoke-free outdoor environments."
Before February 1, non-smoking signage will be posted at all 77 parks and, where possible, near all playgrounds and inside recreation facilities to notify users of the smoking ban. The goal is to obtain no-smoking compliance at designated parks and playgrounds primarily through education efforts and warnings. When needed, reminders of smoking restrictions will be provided by Parks 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.
"The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Department welcomes thousands of visitors annually, a large number of which are families with children," said City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services Manager Colin Smith. "Having smoke-free designated facilities helps us meet the goal of providing clean, healthy and safe facilities for our park users to enjoy."
On February 1, a smoking ban will be in place at the following parks with playgrounds as well as four parks located downtown.
A
Allmendinger Park
Arbor Oaks Park
B
Bader Park
Baxter Park
Beckley Park
Belize Park
Bromley Park
Brookside Park
Bryant Community Center
Buhr Park
Burns Park
Burr Oak Park
C
Churchill Downs Park
Clinton Park
Cloverdale Park
Cranbrook Park
Creal Park
E
Ellsworth Park
Esch Park
Evergreen Park
F
Foxfire North Park
Frisinger Park
Fritz Park
Fuller Park
G
Gallup Park
Garden Homes Park
Glacier Highlands Park
Greenbrier Park
H
Hansen Nature Area
Hunt Park
Huron Highlands Park
I
Island Park
K
Kelly Park
Downtown Parks: Kempf House
Kilburn Park
L
Landsdowne Park
Las Vegas Park
Leslie Park
Downtown Parks: Liberty Plaza
Longshore Park
M
Mary Beth Doyle Park
Maryfield Wildwood Park
Meadowbrook Park
Mixtwood Pomona Park
Mushroom Park
N
Downtown Parks: North Main
North Main Park
Northside Park
O
Olson Park
P
Pilgrim Park
Placid Way Park
Plymouth Parkway Park
R
Riverside Park
Rose Park
Rose White Park
S
Scheffler Park
Downtown Parks: Sculpture Plaza
SouthEast Area Park
South Maple Park
Sugarbush Park
Sylvan Park
T
The Ponds
Turnberry Park
V
Veterans Memorial Park
Virginia Park
W
Ward Park
Waterworks Park
Waymarket Park
Wellington Park
West Park
Wheeler Park
White Oak Park
Winchell Park
Windemere Park
Winewood Thaler Park
Woodbury Park
Wurster Park
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