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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2017
CONTACT
Andrea Hawkins, Dallas Park and Recreation
214-670-4678 or 817.994.2498
Andrea.Hawkins@DallasCityHall.com
Today, City of Dallas Parks Become Smoke-free
Park and Recreation awareness campaign encourages residents, visitors to smell the flowers
(DALLAS) – Beginning March 1, Dallas parks and trails will be smoke-free, an outcome of a smoking ban on park property adopted last year by the Dallas City Council. Dallas Park and Recreation Department has launched a public information campaign to make residents and visitors aware of the change.
“We want communities to join us in making our parks smoke-free on March 1,” said Willis C. Winters, Dallas Park and Recreation Director. “This is a new ordinance approved by the City Council, so we are going to spend time educating residents about the new smoking ban.
The campaign, themed “Smell Flowers, Not Smoke,” encourages parkgoers to take individual responsibility for observing the ban. It launched last month with temporary signage posted in parks and at other park properties and venues such as Fair Park. Partnering with area media and other organizations, communication activities include print and broadcast public service announcements, printed materials, billboards, social media, and public affairs shows. A list of most frequently asked questions is available at www.dallasparks.org.
Dallas City Council in November passed a smoking ban on park property with some exceptions. Smoking will be permitted at the department’s six golf courses, Elm Fork Shooting Sports facility (the city-owned gun and archery range), and other city parks and facilities managed by private partners. Those include the Dallas Zoo, the Dallas Arboretum, Lee Park, and Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas.
Citing data from the National Recreation and Park Association, Oscar Carmona, Assistant Director for Park Maintenance Services, said, “Dallas joins more than 1,260 cities that have smoke or tobacco-free park ordinances. Looking at the social, health and quality-of-life benefits that parks and green spaces offer, clean, green and now smoke-free outdoor areas contribute to healthy cities and environments. With spring almost here, we want everyone to visit a neighborhood park and smell the flowers, not smoke.”
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