Smoke free parks ordinance takes effect March 1

Published on January 17, 2024

Woman smiling at a park on a sunny day

Effective March 1, 2024, Ordinance 2023-33 goes into effect. The ordinance was adopted by the City Commission this past November and prohibits smoking in city parks. This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, filtered cigars, pipes and other devices that can be used to inhale, exhale, burn or carry tobacco products.  Per Florida state statute, unfiltered cigars are exempt from regulation within this ordinance.

“North Port is committed to providing safe green spaces and park amenities,” said Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director. “The smoke-free parks ordinance promotes healthy recreation while reducing second-hand smoke and litter that could end up in our blueways or harm wildlife.”

The following parks will have a designated smoking area which will be identified with signage and waste receptacles in the parking lot:

  • Atwater Community Park
  • Blue Ridge Park
  • Butler Park
  • Canine Club
  • City Center Complex
  • Dallas White Park
  • Garden of the Five Senses
  • Highland Ridge Park
  • LaBrea Park
  • Marina Park
  • McKibben Park
  • Narramore Sports Complex
  • Pine Park

There will be no designated smoking areas for the City’s natural parks. This includes Warm Mineral Springs Park, Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park and Oaks Park.

For more information, visit NorthPortFL.gov/SmokeFree.

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