June 14, 2019

Smoking now outlawed at recreation facilities, parks

As of June 14th, 2019, all recreation facilities in the City of Madera, including parks, picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields, walking paths, gardens, bike paths, riding trails, swimming pools, and skateboard parks are now smoke and vape-free zones. At the February 20th city council meeting, Council gave direction to staff in support of updating City ordinance related to smoking to include a prohibition of smoking in City park facilities because of a heightened awareness of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. In conjunction with the update of City ordinance, staff included verbiage that addressed new smoking trends such as vaping, e-cigarettes and cannabis, and incorporated new definitions that account for changes in smoking related activities and smoking related business practices. An exception allows smoking at the golf course.

The Council introduced the ordinance amendment at its May 1st meeting. The second reading and adoption of the ordinance on May 15th completed the amendment process, refreshing current ordinance related to smoking in the City, and adding provisions prohibiting smoking in recreational areas of the community.