Winona Council To Review No Smoking In Parks Ordinance
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Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake Town Council will review a draft ordinance in April that if approved would prohibit smoking in town parks, council members heard Tuesday night. Craig Allebach, town coordinator, said the park board will present the ordinance proposal to the council during its April 22 meeting. If approved, it would prohibit smoking in Winona Lake Park, Bibler Park and the park behind Winona Lake Street Department. During Tuesday’s meeting, Terry Howie, councilman, asked how the town would enforce the no-smoking policy. The parks department has the authority to make park rules and to post signage, and law enforcement could help enforce the rules, according to Jim Walmer, town attorney. Allebach said the council will review sample ordinances of what other towns are doing that have passed no-smoking ordinances in their parks. “A lot of the issues rest around health,” Allebach said. “When you think about parks and recreation you think about health.” Allebach also said prohibiting smoking in the parks will provide a healthier atmosphere when the Limitless Park and Splash Pad are installed in May in Winona Lake Park, with completion slated for the end of summer. The park will offer outdoor recreation for people of all abilities including a universally accessible splash pad, playground, year-round changing facilities, additional parking and shaded rest areas located at the site as the current park and playground in Winona Lake. Allebach said there was an issue with visitors coming to Winona Lake Senior Center by the Winona Lake Park who smoked in front of the center, when non-smokers with health problems have had concerns with walking through the smoke to get inside the facility. Also during the meeting, the council approved getting quotes to demolish three cottages in town that are deteriorating. In other business, Josh Weaver, Jones Petrie Rafinski senior engineer, gave an update on the town’s project to replace the lift station that transmits wastewater to Warsaw. Weaver said he will have drawings for the next lift station sent out by next week to Indiana Department Of Environmental Management and the station will be installed in June. Greg Demopoulos, former Fat and Skinny Tire Festival director, introduced Mike Cusick, this year’s festival director. This year’s festival is May 16 to 18 in Winona Lake.
