West St. Paul Considers Prohibiting Smoking in Parks

Thanks to Southview Animal Hospital for their support.

With Minnesota’s legalization of marijuana, West St. Paul is considering whether or not to prohibit smoking in parks. City Council debated the issue with no consensus and kicked it to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee for more input.

Meeting: The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meets on Tuesday, August 8 at 6 p.m. at city hall. They’ll discuss the issue and make a recommendation to City Council.

The Debate: At City Council, the debate quickly focused on prohibiting all smoking and not singling out marijuana.

• Health: The arguments in favor of prohibition focused on health and infringement of people enjoying parks.
• Enforcement: The arguments opposed focused on the reluctance to enforce—nobody wants the police to issue misdemeanors for smoking in a park.
• Consistency: Some argued for consistency across the city. Since Dakota County bans all smoking in their parks, it’s banned at Thompson Park. Other nearby municipalities that have banned smoking in parks include: St. Paul, Minneapolis, Mendota Heights, Ramsey County, and Hennepin County. With marijuana legalization, a number of other cities are considering bans as well, including Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, and Lakeville.

History: In 2008, West St. Paul approved a tobacco-free policy that banned smoking (including marijuana) in parks at playgrounds and fields during youth activities.

• Oops: However, it was a policy and not an ordinance, so there was no enforcement mechanism.
• Signs: Back in 2008, “tobacco free zone” signs were put up in parks, and some still exist today.
• Student-powered: The tobacco-free effort was spearheaded by students at Henry Sibley High School (now Two Rivers) and Dakota County.

Aug. 9, 2023 Update: Policy Moving Forward

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee met and discussed the issue. There was general consensus to update the existing policy to include marijuana smoke, but some concern about having a policy that couldn’t be enforced (since it isn’t an ordinance).

Aug. 16, 2023 Update: Council Vote

In a split decision, City Council voted to update the existing policy to include marijuana smoking with no further changes. Effectively it allows any kind of smoking in parks except around kids.

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