YAB members Nathan Leach and Griffin Mims, along with Youth Coordinator Jack Anderson, present YAB’s Tobacco-Free Parks policy.
Youth Advisory Board (YAB) members met with the Kearney Park and Recreation Advisory Board at its September meeting to further discuss their proposed tobacco-free parks courtesy rule. YAB originally presented its policy to the board in July, but a vote was postponed until more research could be done on similar policies in nearby communities and community members’ reactions to them.
The courtesy rule YAB proposed would discourage the use of both smoked and smokeless tobacco products on park or recreational property in Kearney and would discourage community members from discarding tobacco products in these areas. The courtesy rule would be self-enforced, whereas park users would respect the rule and refrain from using tobacco products on park or recreational property, though police or park staff would not write citations for community members who violated the rule.
The Park and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend the courtesy rule to City Council, which will decide on any changes the rule may need and ultimately vote on whether or not to make the rule official.