New Park Rules Starting Today

Mayor McGinn issued a News Release yesterday with an updated Code of Conduct for Seattle Parks.

One of the new rules is that park patrons cannot smoke within 25 feet of another park patron and they can't smoke in beaches, play areas or picnic areas. Punishment results in being excluded from the park for 24 hours.

Here is the full News Release:

SEATTLE PARKS AND RECREATION CODE OF CONDUCT TAKES EFFECT APRIL 1


New provisions ban tobacco use, glass containers in some parks

Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Code of Conduct takes effect on April 1. It reflects Parks’ effort to bring together in a single document all the behaviors not allowed on some or all park property.

It includes provisions from Washington state law, from Seattle City ordinance, from already-adopted administrative rules, and some new provisions. Violation of these rules can result in exclusion from a park or a group of parks.

New prohibited behaviors include:

· Possession of glass containers at athletic fields, beaches, or children’s playgrounds;

· Smoking, chewing, or other tobacco use within 25 feet of other park patrons and or at play areas, beaches, playgrounds, and picnic areas;

· Conduct that poses a risk of harm to any person or property; and

· Possession of explosives, acid, or any other article or material capable of causing serious harm to others.

By prohibiting smoking in some parks, Seattle Parks join many other cities in Washington state and around the country that are making smoking unacceptable in public places. It is consistent with Seattle Parks and Recreation’s mission to provide healthy, safe places for people to congregate, and it sends a message to Seattle’s youth that the norm is for public places to be smoke-free.