Proposed ordinance would prohibit smoking in parks

By Angie Landsverk

Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes would be banned in city of Waupaca parks under a proposed ordinance.

It went before the common council on Oct. 15 for a first reading.

There were no comments on the proposal from council members.

The council is scheduled to vote on the ordinance when it meets on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

“I think we have the opportunity to be leaders in the area,” said Parks and Recreation Director Andrew Whitman.

He said it has been an ongoing conversation for a number of years, including when City Administrator Aaron Jenson was the parks and rec director.

The department received complaints about cigarette butts in playground areas and people smoking around children.

A smoking ban would help keep the parks clean and children healthy, Whitman said.

It would also show how to be good role models for youth, he said.

The Parks and Recreation Board voted unanimously in favor of a smoking ban when it met last month.

If the council approves the ordinance, Whitman said he will do a “thorough job of getting the word out.”

That would include signage.

He said the city still has some ACHIEVE Grant funds available, which could go toward that cost.

Whitman said the city already has a penalty in place for smoking in prohibited places, so this ordinance would fall under that if approved.