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Greetings to you all,

I am writing to you in your roles as representing our primary users of Hatfield Township athletic fields.

The Township parks and recreation board has been asked to deliberate over the issue of smoking in parks. At least two Montgomery County municipalities ban smoking throughout their park systems -- Upper Dublin Township and Lower Merion Township. The Upper Dublin and North Penn school districts also impose a smoking ban across the board in their buildings and on district properties.

The Township parks and recreation board members took their first stab at this tonight. The general consensus is that partial bans are confusing (banning smoking in some parks and not others); that bans at certain places within parks (like during concerts) is also confusing, and setting up smoking areas within otherwise smoke-free parks is asking for trouble. Enforcement -- the challenge of this -- also played strongly in the discussion. However, the board members want to keep looking at this, especially in light of the example set by adults smoking in the company of youth.

The group asked me if I would canvas our facility users, to find out the following. I hope you will take the time to answer, at your earliest convenience.

1. Do members of your organization smoke when they are using Hatfield Township athletic fields?
2. If so, where? Please list all that apply: in the dugouts; on the bleachers; in the parking lot; on the sports field; other (please specify.)
3. If your organization members do not smoke, is this because you outlaw it?
4. If yes to #3, could you elaborate on when and how you put this into effect?

Any other comments or information you'd wish to provide will aide in further discussion.

Thank you for your input.

Nancy Stock
For the Hatfield Township Parks and Recreation Board