If you're going to be puffing smoke, don't plan on doing it in various city-owned parks in
Sault Ste. Marie.
The city commission unanimously approved a measure to help ensure the wellness of the city residents by banning smoking and chewing tobacco from several city parks. The Pullar Community Building, Kaine's Rink, Minneapolis Woods Recreation Area, Project Playground, and Kids' Fishing Pond at Rotary Park will all be posted as "Tobacco-Free" under the new restrictions. In addition, the beach and playground portions of Sherman Park are also now tobacco-free designation zones.
Tobacco use will still be acceptable in Alford Park, Rotary Park (with the exception of the fishing pond), city-owned cemeteries, Seal Memorial and Weber Park. The boat launches, campgrounds and marinas will not have any new tobacco regulations.
Parts of Malcolm Park are also designated as tobacco-free, though not all of it as originally intended.
Commissioner Marilyn Burton mentioned at the meeting that "an awful lot of adults are going to be angry they can't have a cigarette outside."
City Attorney Steve Cannello noted that the use of tobacco would not result in any criminal prosecution, nor a civil infraction. Instead, violators will be asked to leave park property if caught.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Marily Burton, Sault Ste. Marie City Commission
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