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Subject
Smoking Ban Near Children's Playgrounds in City Parks
Recommendation
Based on input and requests from City park users, the Recreation and Park Advisory Board recommends the Mayor and Council approve a policy to ban smoking within forty (40) feet of playground sites at all City of Rockville parks and facilities. Staff concurs with the recommendation.
Change in Law or Policy
This would be a new policy restricting smoking in specific areas within the City parks and on the grounds of City facilities, within forty feet of children's playgrounds.
NOTE: Staff recommends approval of this smoking ban as a policy change affecting all playground areas in City parks. This action does not entail a change in City ordinances or laws.
There are similar policies governing smoking in and around City facilities that are not included in the City's Park Ordinance as official laws. Smoking is currently banned in several outdoor locations on City properties. Examples are the outdoor pool complex at the Swim and Fitness Center, the Dog Park at Stepanek Park, and near the playing fields at youth and adult sports games and practices. The reasoning behind the smoking ban is obvious, given the proven hazards of second-hand smoke. The ban will also reduce the possibility of small children coming into contact with cigarette butts, lit or otherwise.
Discussion
City staff received concerns from several City residents about persons smoking near children's playgrounds at City parks. These residents requested that smoking be banned in close proximity to these areas within the parks. The Recreation and Park Advisory Board discussed this matter at their July 23, 2009 meeting and unanimously approved a recommendation that smoking be banned within forty (40) feet of playgrounds in City parks.
This new policy would apply only to smoking near playgrounds in City parks, and not in privately-owned open space areas or facilities in Rockville.
Public Information Campaign
If the Mayor and Council approve the policy, the following actions will 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.
Enforcement
The effectiveness of the smoking ban will depend on cooperation and self-enforcement by park users, similar to many other park rules. Staff believes most park users will readily comply as they will not have to go far out of their way to do so. The City Police enforce the City laws pertaining to the parks, including posted park rules and regulations. While the Police regularly patrol the parks, much of their enforcement activity is in response to notifications and complaints from park users, or City staff. If the Police receive a complaint about noncompliance with the smoking ban, they will respond as appropriate, although such incidents may not receive top priority response relative to other calls for service.
Mayor and Council History
This proposal was introduced to the Mayor and Council by staff at the August 3, 2008 meeting. The Mayor and Council directed staff to place the item on a future meeting agenda, so the public would have the opportunity to learn about the proposal and provide input to the decision.
Options Considered
The Recreation and Park Advisory Board considered a general ban on smoking within City parks. After considerable discussion, the Board decided that this was not necessary, but that it makes sense, given health and safety considerations to ban smoking within close proximity to children's playgrounds.
Public Notification and Engagement
The City issued a press release in early August announcing consideration of the smoking ban, which resulted in considerable press coverage from the print, on-line and television media. The proposal is also publicized on the City's website.
Several emails have been received, all with positive comments in support of the proposed smoking ban. Examples include:
"I am writing in support of your proposal to ban smoking within city playgrounds. As a resident of Twinbrook and a frequent visitor to the playground at the Twinbrook Recreation center I am bothered by the example young teenagers are setting for my young sons. My oldest, who is three, is enthralled by the older kids at the playground. He watches the high school boys zipping down the hill on their skate boards. He tries to copy the boy he saw jump off his skate board as he lost control due to speed. And he always asks me why they don't wear helmets. I dread the day that he asks me what the kids are doing when they smoke on the swings.
As a new citizen of the US, this was going to be my first letter writing campaign to the Rockville Council. I am happy to see that you have this issue covered. If I can be of assistance by writing to the Mayor and/or the Council, I would be delighted to exercise my responsibility of community involvement."
" This is fantastic news. Thanks so much to you for bringing this item to the table."
"Awesome - thank you so much for taking this action."
Boards and Commissions Review
The Recreation and Park Advisory Board initiated this recommendation.
Next Steps
If the Mayor and Council approve the proposed smoking ban, the staff will proceed expeditiously to publicize the new policy and post signs at the City's playgrounds.
Department Head:
Burt Hall, Director of Recreation and Parks
Approved on: 08/27/2009
Assistant City Manager:
Jenny Kimball, Assistant City Manager
Approved on: 08/31/2009
City Manager:
Scott Ullery, City Manager
Approved on: 09/08/2009
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