Minutes - Parks and Recreation Commission - 07/08/2004

Home

Motion carried. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners Olds, Shryock, Lehman, Ostrum and Pontius. Voting No: None. Absent: LaMere. COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #1: Review Methods to Educate Public on Tobacco Free Parks Policy The Park and Recreation Commission reviewed the Tobacco Free Parks materials at a previous meeting and recommended adoption of a Tobacco Free Park Policy by the City Council. The Ramsey City Council adopted the policy on May 25, 2004. The policy will not be enforced by the police. Staff recently met with representatives from Youth First and Anoka County Community Health to discuss options for implementing the policy. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood explained there was strong consensus with the Commission and City Council that there should be a no smoking policy in the parks. Ms. Rachael Hilyar discussed how the community can support the smoke free policy in the parks. She discussed planning in the Health Department to make this work. She explained that she works with the Tobacco Free Youth Society and they ordered sixty of the signs to start with for use in the parks. This is all to educate the community and promote a positive message. Ms. Hilyar reviewed the plan and signage with the Commission. She notes that in addition to signs there should be banners for use. She showed examples and logos that could be used. She explained that they are looking for a two fold goal that tobacco and recreation do not mix. In addition, she is meeting with the Ramsey Youth Association and other organizations to help out and become involved. Chairperson Johns thought this was great. Parks/Utilities Supervisor Riverblood did not know how anyone could object to this because it was not confrontational. Commissioner Shryock thought they could get some things together for fall sports registration to make the policy known to the community. She thought all the sources they could use to get the information out to the community would help. Commissioner Pontius asked if they could get information to the businesses such as the golf COtlrse. Chairperson Johns asked if there was any discussion with the businesses in Ramsey. Ms. Hilyar stated this came about quickly and she did not think they have contacted them. Ms. Hilyar wondered if they should be promoting this in adjoining cities during City functions. Chairperson Johns thought they could promote this County wide for all of the cities who have adopted this policy also. Park and Recreation Commission/July 8, 2004 Page 2 of 6