Morris Parks Announces Smoking, Vaping and Tobacco Ban in Parks

Published on January 18, 2019

Ban Complies with Law Prohibiting Smoking at Public Parks and Beaches

The Morris County Park Commission, which manages 20,197 acres consisting of 38 facilities, 244.3 miles of trails, including 73.3 miles of Patriots' Path trail, is announcing a No Smoking Policy to conform with the New Jersey State's Chapter Law 64 of prohibition of smoking at public parks and beaches.

Sign that reads: Enjoy your tobacco free parks. No smoking, vaping or tobacco permitted. All Morris County Park Commission parks, trails and facilities are smoke free.(JPG, 2MB)

The smoking prohibition policy of the Morris County Park Commission bans smoking in any park, forest, beach, arboreta, historic site, recreation facility, arena, reservation, marina, trail, greenway, education facility under the Park Commission's stewardship responsibility.

This policy, as adopted by the Commissioners, will provide a smoke-free environment for everyone, including children, to enjoy their experience at these public facilities,'' said Park Commission Executive Director Dave Helmer. The policy will be strictly enforced and applies to both the public, as well as employees. Signage will be posted soon at all facilities to remind or make the public aware of this new policy, which will be strictly enforced.

Any person not compliant with posted smoking rules shall first be given verbal notification; if upon such notification the person fails to comply with the posted rules, the Supervisor of the area may deny services.

Smoking is defined as the burning of, inhaling from, exhaling the smoke from, or the possession of lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other mater of substance which contains tobacco or any other matter that can be smoked, or the inhaling or exhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device.

Further, the policy stated that electronic smoking device means an electronic device that can be used to deliver nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, or pipe.

The only exceptions to the no smoking rules, as determined by the Park Commission, will be at Berkshire Valley Golf Course, Flanders Valley Golf Course, Pinch Brook Golf Course, and Sunset Valley Golf Course where smoking is to be permitted on turf play areas, excluding designated practice area, and including driving ranges.

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