Board tables proposal for a family 'no-smoking' beach area as enforcement concerns surface

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board on March 4 discussed a proposal from a council workshop to designate a 200-by-200-foot family beach area in front of the lifeguard stand marked by signs asking visitors not to smoke or vape. After debate about wording and enforcement, the board voted to table the proposal to a future meeting.

Staff (speaker 4) described the suggested zone as a way to attract families to a lifeguarded area and said yard signs would cost about $200. She said lifeguards would be asked to help monitor the space and that the signs could be placed on a perimeter around the lifeguard stand.

A number of board members expressed concern about setting public expectations that park staff or lifeguards would enforce the area. One member (speaker 3) said they did not want to divert lifeguards’ attention from water safety and preferred language that framed the area as a voluntary request rather than a rule with enforcement.

Resident Scott Mellon (speaker 9) urged the board to be "bold" and implement a family-friendly area with signs reading “please don’t smoke,” and noted cigarette butts are a major source of beach litter. Other public commenters warned that signage implying enforcement could lead to confrontations and stressed that the board has limited ability to enforce beach rules.

Following discussion, the board made a motion to table the item to the next meeting so staff can refine language and consider feasibility; the motion carried.

The board did not adopt an ordinance or formal enforcement mechanism; members said the committee could revisit sign wording and a potential future ordinance after observing how a voluntary approach works.