The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Board has set the date of their next meeting as the time for a public hearing and input on making Sunnyside Park a smoke-free area. Their decision came on the heels of a request by Karla Akers and a group of young people who are associated with the Kiwanis’-sponsored, Middle School Builders Club. Akers said originally, the tobacco-free zone request focused on the skate park area at Sunnyside Park. She said the hope is to eventually make all parks in Cass County being tobacco free, to make them “A family friendly, safe, positive environment for healthy activity.”

To that end, Akers presented the Parks and Rec Board with a signed petition requesting Sunnyside Park be designated as Tobacco Free. She also presented the Board with a proclamation, which if approved, specifies how violators would be dealt with. It says the person will be instructed to stop using tobacco products on Park property, or leave the property. If they fail to do so, a trespassing complaint may be filed with law enforcement. The Kiwanis Club also signed a letter of support for the proposal, and verbally expressed their willingness to enforce the movement. The Kiwanis Club said they would be willing to help enforce the policy in a friendly, non-confrontational way.

Before a Tobacco-Free designation for Sunnyside Park is made however, the proposal must be approved by the Parks and Rec Board and full City Council. As part of the process, the Board will take public input during their meeting on July 15th in the Council Chambers at City Hall.