Don't Even Think About Smoking Near Playgrounds

Last night the Mayor and Council approved a request by the >Recreation and Park Advisory Board to ban smoking within forty (40) feet of playgrounds at all City of Rockville parks and facilities. City Staff received favorable feedback since the proposal was first introduced at the August 3, 2009 Mayor and Council meeting.

The decision is a policy change, not a change in law. As with other park rules, compliance depends on the cooperation of park users. City police regularly patrol the parks. They will respond to complaints if they are available and not on service calls.

Smoking is already banned on City property near playing fields during games and practices, by the outdoor pool complex at the Swim and Fitness Center, and at the Dog Park at Stepanek Park. The ban is for City parks only, not privately-owned playgrounds.

At their July 23, 2009 meeting, the Recreation and Park Advisory Board considered a general ban on smoking within City parks but they decided this was not necessary and they voted unanimously to approve a recommendation near playgrounds.

The documentation for the Mayor and Council meeting lists the following actions to be taken to inform the public:

• A modestly-sized sign will be posted at each City playgrounds, with a friendly message of this sort: “Children at Play – Please – No Smoking Within 40 Feet of the Playground.”
• A press release will be issued to all media.
• The new policy will be published on the City’s website, in Rockville Reports, on Rockville Channel 11, in the Recreation Guides over the next year, on the weekly e-newsletter and on the City’s ‘Facebook’ page.
• A notice will be placed on the neighborhood association listserv.
• The policy will be included in the park rules and regulations.

So, don’t say you didn’t know.

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