Sean C. Morgan
Sweet Home’s Parks Board wants to know what you think about whether smoking and drinking should be allowed in the city’s public parks.
The city’s Planning Department has posted a survey through the Survey Monkey website in an attempt to get some feedback from residents. Based on what residents have to say, the Sweet Home Parks Board may recommend that the City Council address those activities.
Currently, city ordinances already prohibit bringing or drinking beverages with an alcohol content of more than 5 percent into the parks or being under the influence of alcohol in city parks.
Smoking is permitted in Sweet Home parks.
Some 64 cities have smoke-free policies, said Laura LaRoque, planning services manager. Many municipalities allow alcohol to be consumed through a permit process, allowing the consumption of alcohol on special occasions but not on a daily basis.
“We want to hear from the community,” LaRoque said. If the community isn’t really interested or is completely against additional limitations, then the Parks Board probably would not make a recommendation.
If the community is interested, she said, then the board will likely move a recommendation to the council for action, she said.
The Parks Board is interested based on comments and questions during public events, she said. “During some of our summer events, people are surprised people are able to smoke.”
At the Harvest Festival in October, she said, parks users told her they were surprised to see others lighting up.
The city has posted a survey through the Survey Monkey website. It can be accessed through the Sweet Home Parks and Recreation Facebook page or through the city’s website, ci.sweet-home.or.us.
Residents also may call LaRoque directly at (541) 367-1431.
“They’re welcome to attend the meeting or submit their comments to me by phone,” she said.
The Parks Board will consider the information at its regular meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 20.