The Great Neck Park District board announced last week that it will consider a resolution to prohibit smoking throughout the entire Village Green at its next meeting on Sept. 27.
Currently, the park district does not allow smoking in specific areas of the park district, which include playgrounds, all of the parking complex, all of Steppingstone Park, Great Neck House and Dog Park.
“There has been some concern about smoking in the Village Green…we’ve received some comments and requests,” park district Commissioner Robert Lincoln Jr said. “It’s not the most controversial thing in the community, however. When people express a concern, we give it consideration.”
Lincoln said a public hearing is not required to approve ban, as this is not an ordinance.
“Smoking is not allowed outside of places of business in the Village of Great Neck, so it would not be in the least bit inappropriate to have that cover the entire Village Green,” said Martin Markson, chairman of the park district’s Open Space Advisory Committee.
Markson cited the clean up of cigarettes on the ground, and the possibility of fires in certain weather conditions in supporting the resolution.
“When the grass is very dry, or there are dry leaves, that can all catch on fire if the cigarette is not properly extinguished,” Markson said.
Lincoln noted that the Park District has signs posted in Kings Point Park that not only prohibit smoking, but all open flames.
The park district is comprised of all Great Neck Villages and unincorporated areas with the exception of Great Neck Estates, Harbor Hills, Lake Success, Saddle Rock and University Gardens.
