Park board endorses concept to ban smoking, vaping and marijuana in city parks with limited golf‑course carve‑out

Parks staff told the board they have drafted an ordinance—based on examples from other communities—that would prohibit smoking, vaping and marijuana use across city parks, while allowing a limited carve‑out for tobacco cigar smoking in designated outdoor areas at the Raintree golf course.

"Notwithstanding the citywide smoking ban on or within city property, smoking and vaping of tobacco products only shall be permitted in designated outdoor areas of public golf courses," staff read from the draft language explaining that the golf course must clearly mark designated smoking and nonsmoking areas. The parks presenter said the carve‑out mirrors language used by other municipalities.

Board members raised enforcement and youth‑exposure concerns. Staff said enforcement would begin with education and park staff approaching violators; if the ordinance is adopted, the sheriff could issue citations for repeat or egregious violations. A board member asked about concerts and youth programs; staff said signage and targeted restrictions (for example near driving ranges during youth programming) could address specific concerns.

A motion recording the board's support of the concept and asking staff to present the ordinance to city council was introduced, seconded and passed unanimously by voice vote. Staff said the final ordinance language will be reviewed by the law director and carried to the next City Council packet for public comment.