Tobacco Use Banned At Elmhurst Park District Properties

ELMHURST, IL — Tobacco use is now banned on all park district property in Elmhurst. The park district board approved the ban at the Aug. 28 meeting, with two exceptions to the ban also approved; Sugar Creek Golf Course and paid rental events at Wilder Mansion.

According to a release from the park district, some reasons for the ordinance included increasing public support of tobacco use bans, the negative health and environmental impacts of tobacco use and the National Recreation and Park Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts’ positions on banning tobacco use at public parks and facilities.

The park district said exemptions were made for Sugar Creek Golf Course and paid rentals at Wilder Mansion due to the unique enforcement challenges at these facilities. Both are operated to make a profit, which the district reinvests in the park district, and staff were concerned about the loss of rentals and revenue a ban might create. According to the release, staff also expressed concern about the time needed to enforce the ban and the expected increase in guest complaints. The ban would also likely increase litter outside, particularly at Wilder Mansion, since there would no longer be litter containers for tobacco products.

The ordinance will go into effect on Nov. 16 to overlap with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, an event which encourages smokers to quit smoking.