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Smoking could soon be banned in Indy parks

Posted at 10:45 AM, Jul 25, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-25 18:14:15-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Smoking could soon be banned in Indianapolis public parks, if a new proposal by the City-County Council passes.

It's still early in the process, but Proposal No. 213 was introduced at a council meeting Monday night. It is sponsored by Colleen Fanning (R), Jared Evans (R), Susie Cordi (R) and Jeff Miller (R).

It would make it prohibited to smoke in any public parks in Marion County or Indianapolis. 

For clarity, public parks are defined as: 

property that is owned, leased, or operated by the city or county, or any of their offices, agencies or departments, that is used for any of the following: recreational facilities, athletic or recreational fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools, bike paths, walking or hiking trails, wildlife and natural preserves, greenways, parks, dog parks, skate parks, amphitheaters, and any other similar uses, and including related buildings, facilities and improvements, together with parking lots, roadways, sidewalks and walkways abutting or adjoining the same. "Public parks" shall not include city or county-owned golf courses and golf driving ranges.

There are 210 parks in Marion County managed by Indy Parks.

On Tuesday evening, the Rules and Public Policy Committee voted to postpone their discussion on the proposal in order to give the public more time to respond. They will take up the city park smoking ban proposal at their next meeting August 19.

The proposal will be discussed in the Rules and Public Policy Committee at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday night.

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