Hempstead Town votes to ban smoking in parks

The Town of Hempstead passed legislation this week banning smoking in its 100 parks, according to Supervisor Kate Murray.

The Town Board voted to approve the measure at a Nov. 23 meeting. The law prohibits smoking in any and all town parks, except in designated areas, which will be away from playing fields and courts, playgrounds, pools and pool decks, concession areas, bleachers, waterfront beach areas and other locations that would subject park patrons to second-hand smoke, said Murray, a Republican from Levittown.

"From swimming and ice skating to basketball, walking and playground activities, Hempstead Town parks are part and parcel of a healthy lifestyle," said Murray in a release. "Restricting smoking at these facilities makes good common sense and protects children and other neighbors from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke."

The Town of Hempstead has the largest population of any town in the country –– more than 750,000 residents. The town government began pursuing legislation to ban smoking in the parks after the Tobacco Action Coalition of Long Island approached officials earlier this year, and the two sides began talking.

Carol Meschkow, Nassau’s project coordinator for Nassau County, spoke at Town Board meetings on the dangers of second-hand smoke . "The town's exceptional network of parks, playgrounds, beaches and other recreational venues,” Meschkow said, “should be places where families can go to enjoy the outdoors and fresh air and not have to worry about exposure to second-hand smoke, which is a Class-A carcinogen.” Second-hand smoke is particularly harmful to children’s developing lungs, she said.

Earlier this month, the town held a news conference at Julian Lane Park in Merrick, at which Murray and Councilwoman Angie Cullin, along with Ilene Robinson’s third-grade class from Levy-Lakeside Elementary School in Merrick, announced the town’s plans to institute the smoking ban.

"This new legislation is an important step in protecting the health of our residents," Cullin said in a release. "Smoking is known to cause cancer and has no place in areas where families and children are exercising and enjoying other healthy pursuits."

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