They adopted the policy under City Code provisions that authorizes them to establish rules and regulations governing the use of City parks. Although their intent is to enforce the policy by soliciting the cooperation of users, they can, if necessary, use police to enforce the policy. The City Council reviewed the policy at a June meeting and determined informally that they were in strong agreement with the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Much of the enforcement emphasis will be through the posting of signs which will read, "Tobacco Free Grounds… No Tobacco Use on this Property … Thank You." Tobacco Free Youth Recreation, an association dedicated to a smoke free environment, will provide the signs for each of our parks. Staff expects that they will be in place prior to the publication of this edition of the newsletter.

The new policy is very similar to policies adopted in 131 other Minnesota cities, including Coon Rapids, Blaine, Spring Lake Park, Mounds View, New Brighton, Columbia Heights, and Brooklyn Park. Anoka County has also adopted a similar policy for their parks. Generally, people have responded very respectfully to these new policies.