MPRB adopts expanded Tobacco Use policy

Starting July 1, 2010, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will expand its Tobacco Use Policy to include all tobacco products and increase tobacco-free perimeters in key family-friendly park and recreation areas.

The policy, adopted at the May 5 meeting of the MPRB Board of Commissioners, stipulates there will be no smoking or use of any tobacco product as follows:

1. Within any MPRB-owned or leased building, vehicles or equipment.
2. Within 100 feet of the entrance to any MPRB-owned or leased building.
3. Inside the designated perimeter or within 100 feet of any playground, beach, wading pool, swimming pool or water play area.
4. Within the bleachers or stands or within 50 feet of any youth athletic field or youth athletic contest.
5. Anywhere in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, Lyndale Park Gardens, Peace Garden, Rose Garden, Roberts Bird Sanctuary, Longfellow Gardens, Lake Harriet Band Shell, and the Wirth Winter Recreation Area.
6. At any permitted event; however the event may apply for a waiver to this policy.

“The MPRB already adheres to the 1990 Clean Air Act, but this policy expands the tobacco-free perimeters around our buildings, as well as outside family-friendly activities,” said John Erwin, President of the Board of Commissioners. “We are grateful for the efforts of the Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation, which approached us about expanding our policy. We also received valuable input from the public and we believe our policy reflects that.”

Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation made a presentation to the Board on March 3, 2010, in support of a tobacco-free policy, citing a February 2010 phone survey by Grove Insight. The survey found that 65 percent supported tobacco-free parks in the Minneapolis Park System. Seventy-six percent favored tobacco-free concession areas; 73 percent favored tobacco-free band shell areas and amphitheaters; and 71 percent favored tobacco-free beaches.

As part of its public awareness efforts, the MPRB will post signs in tobacco-free areas and staff will monitor the recreation facilities and programs in those areas. Violators of the policy may be asked to leave the designated tobacco-free area, facility and/or program.