Winona Council Discusses Prohibiting Smoking In Parks, Skateboarding On Some Streets
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake is looking to make its streets safer and its parks a healthier environment for the community. The council during its meeting Tuesday night agreed after lengthy discussion to have Jim Walmer, town attorney, put together an ordinance that would restrict the use of skateboards on certain streets in town. The streets include Ninth between College and Park avenues, 12th between College Avenue and East Canal Street, Chestnut between 13th and Union Drive, and Park Avenue between Winona Avenue and 12th. Skateboarders could be fined for traffic violations such as ignoring stop signs under the proposed ordinance. If the ordinance is approved, the town would need to post signs that state where skateboarding is prohibited. Paul Schmitt, town marshal, informed council at its April 15 meeting that there has been an issue with skateboarders going down the hills on 9th, 7th and Chestnut streets causing a safety problem by not stopping. “Our aim is not to confiscate skateboards but to keep people – both adults and kids – safe, and the rest of the public safe,” Schmitt said. Tyler Paseka, 16, Warsaw, who rides his skateboard in Winona Lake, attended the meeting with his friends to show support for allowing fines for skateboarders who do not follow traffic laws, but they did not support a rule that would prohibit skateboarding on the streets. “I go down the hills on my skateboard and obey traffic laws,” Paseka said. Bruce Shaffner, council president, said the town is concerned with safety. He said last fall he was driving on Park Avenue about to turn onto Chestnut Street and there were skateboarders coming down the hill, requiring him to stop to avoid hitting them. “Had I not been looking ahead I could have hit one of them,” Shaffner said. “I don’t want to take away your fun and I don’t think any of us want that to happen either. We just want it to be safe for you all.” The council also is looking to put together an ordinance that would prohibit smoking regular cigarettes, e-cigarettes and tobacco in all town parks including Winona Lake, Bibler and Chestnut parks and any future parks and the Greenway. Shelby Beam, Winona Lake Park Board president, said the board supports prohibiting smoking. “I have a child with ashthma. If there is a smoker in the park near him I will have to leave and that is not fair for him,” Beam said. “We’d like to see Winona Lake Park become not only the first park in the area to have a limitless park and expand that even further by working toward the health and benefit of our children.” Dan Grey, director of Kosciusko County Tobacco Coalition, attended the meeting and said the organization’s goal is to make residents healthier and encourage and promote healthier environments. “When a community encourages better health and takes a stand for it, it really makes a difference and as you promote this park what better way to let them know it is a healthy environment,” Grey said. Lisa Harman, health and awareness committee chair at Grace College, said she is aware of parks in Goshen and Elkhart that prohibit smoking. Also during the meeting, Erin Porter, Winona Lake Limitless Park committee member, gave an update on the park. A groundbreaking will be May 31 at 9:30 a.m. at Winona Lake Park. She said phase 1 of the project is to expand the parking lot for the park at a total cost of $65,964.75, with a $59,527.95 remaining fundraising goal. An eco-friendly parking area for overflow parking also is planned with $121,862.80 still needed. In other business, the council approved a contract with London Witte not to exceed $12,000 for the town to complete a wastewater rate study. The council also approved authorizing the sale of a police car. Kent Adams, clerk-treasurer, informed the council of a meeting with department heads to go over the 2015 budget. Walmer swore in new council member Peter Christos, who replaces Philip Hood, who resigned to move to Florida. Upcoming town events include the Tracey Yeager Memorial 5K walk and run at Winona Lake Park Monday at 9:30 a.m.; events May 31 include Wheels On Winona from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Art Fair in the Village At Winona June 7 and 8; Master Works Festival June 14 to July 12; Northern Indiana Lakes Festival June 15; and Optimist Triathlon in Winona Lake Park June 28 at 8 a.m.
