Signs posted at parks, pools, playgrounds
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 17, 2014) — Signs reading “Children at Play! Thank You for Not Smoking.” have been posted at five metro parks swimming pools and ten playgrounds and spraygrounds.
Pools include those at Algonquin Park, Mary T. Meagher, Nelson Hornback Park, the Norton Pool at Camp Taylor Park and Sun Valley Park. Playgrounds and spraygrounds include those at Breslin, Crescent Hill, LaPorte, Long Run, McNeely, Petersburg, Riverview, Sheppard Square, Vettiner and Wyandotte Parks. Funding for the new signage was provided by a federal smoking prevention and cessation grant through the state of Kentucky.
“Parents, grandparents and caregivers have all told us that they want their children to be able to use our parks, pools and spraygrounds without being exposed to secondhand smoke and burning cigarettes,” said mayor Greg Fischer. “Improving the health of our community is one of our top goals.”
In a survey of nearly 1,100 people conducted by Metro Parks and the Department of Public Health and Wellness 81 percent supported a smoke-free policies in parks, playgrounds and spraygrounds.
“Toddlers and young children, whose lungs and circulatory systems are still developing, are especially vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke,” said Public Health and Wellness director Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt. “There is no safe level of secondhand smoke. Parks, pools, playgrounds and spraygrounds should be about exercise and natural beauty,” she said. “Smoking just doesn’t fit.”
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