SPORTS

Watseka Park District Outdoor Recreational Fields

 

Tobacco Free Policy

 

Section 1: Rationale

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WHEREAS, the Watseka Park District believes that tobacco use in the proximity of children and adults engaging in or watching outdoor recreational activities at park district-owned or operated facilities is detrimental to their health and can be offensive to those using such facilities; and

 

WHEREAS, the Watseka Park District has a unique opportunity to create and sustain an environment that supports a non-tobacco norm through a tobacco-free policy, rule enforcement, and adult-peer role modeling on park district-owned outdoor recreational facilities; and

 

WHEREAS, the park district believes parents, leaders, and officials involved in recreation are role models for youth and can have a positive effect on the lifestyle choices they make; and

 

WHEREAS, the tobacco industry advertises at and sponsors recreational events to foster a connection between tobacco use and recreation; and

 

WHEREAS, cigarettes, once consumed in public spaces, are often discarded on the ground requiring additional maintenance expenses, diminishing the beauty of the park district’s recreational facilities, and posing a risk to toddlers due to ingestion; and

 

WHEREAS, the Watseka Park District Board of Directors determines that the prohibition of tobacco use at the park district’s recreational facilities serves to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens who use our recreational facilities.

 

THEREFORE, be it resolved that tobacco use is prohibited in outdoor recreational facilities. No person shall use any form of tobacco at or on any park district-owned or operated outdoor recreational facilities, including the restrooms, spectator areas, or athletic field of play areas.

 

Section 2: Enforcement

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1. Appropriate signs shall be posted in the above-specified areas.

2. Participants and their families will be notified of this policy.

3. Periodic observations of recreational facilities will be made to monitor for compliance.

4. Any person found violating this policy may be subject to immediate ejection from the recreational area for the remainder of the event.