The Catskill Chronicle

NEW YORK STATE (May 12, 2013) –  Governor Andrew Cuomo announced  on Friday that expanded outdoor smoke-free areas will be in effect within state parks and historic sites for the 2013 peak summer season. The full list of designated no-smoking areas is available on State Parks’ website at http://nysparks.com/inside-our-agency/public-documents.aspx.

“Our state parks embody the rich, natural beauty that New York has to offer, and our residents should be able to enjoy them free of pollution from second hand smoke,” said Governor Cuomo. “Today’s announcement of the expansion of smoke-free zones in our state parks is an important step forward in ensuring New York’s families can enjoy our great outdoors smoke-free, in a healthy environment. I encourage all New Yorkers to visit our unmatched state parks this summer and take advantage of the variety of recreational activities available to them.”

State Parks has expanded upon its smoke-free areas at playgrounds and swimming pools to now include other zones such as specific swimming beaches; pavilions and picnic shelters; developed athletic facilities; boardwalks; outdoor seating areas near food and beverage concessions; areas where outdoor environmental education programs are held; public gardens; areas where children or large numbers of visitors congregate; and within 50 feet of buildings. In addition, all state parks in New York City are designated smoke-free parks to make their smoking regulations consistent with the prohibition on smoking in all city-run parks.

While voluntary no-smoking areas have been established in many areas of the park system, a regulation adopted in February enabled the agency to designate and fully enforce the no-smoking areas, including issuing tickets carrying a fine of up to $250 for violating the no-smoking areas if necessary. Ninety-one percent of comments the agency received on the proposed regulation favored creating outdoor no-smoking areas.

No smoking areas will be designated by signage at outdoor locations where smoking is prohibited. Even with the new regulations, there will remain many appropriate areas including most campsites, open air picnic areas, parking areas and undeveloped areas within the 330,000-acre state park system for those who wish to smoke in a manner that does not violate the concerns of the majority of the public. Smoking is already prohibited inside all buildings within state parks and historic sites.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 179 state parks and 35 historic sites, which are visited by 60 million people annually. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow on Twitter.