City of Meriden, CT Parks and Recreation Areas

Any outdoor area owned or operated by the City of Meriden and open to the general public for primary recreational purposes, regardless of any fee or age requirement, including but not limited to picnic areas, playgrounds, sports or athletic fields, bleachers, walking paths, gardens, hiking trails, bike paths and dog parks. A park or recreational area shall not include any paved public sidewalk immediately abutting the boundary of the park or recreational area. This article shall not apply to the Hunter Golf Course.

SMOKING

Inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, or pipe, or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs and marijuana, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. "Smoking" also includes the use of an electronic smoking device which creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form.

TOBACCO PRODUCT

Any product containing, made, or derived from tobacco or nicotine that is intended for human consumption, whether smoked, heated, chewed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed, or ingested by any other means, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff, snus; and

Any electronic device that delivers nicotine or other substances to the person inhaling from the device, including, but not limited to, an electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah.

Notwithstanding any provision of Subsections A and B to the contrary, "tobacco product" includes any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product, whether or not sold separately.

§ 151-2 Use of tobacco products prohibited in City-owned park or recreation areas.

No person shall smoke or use any tobacco product in any City-owned park or recreation area.

§ 151-3 Posting of signs.

Every park or recreation area shall have at least one conspicuously displayed sign stating that smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited. Such signs must have appropriate text and/or graphics to clearly indicate that smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited and include the appropriate City of Meriden ordinance citation. Such signs shall be posted in a quantity and manner reasonably likely to inform individuals occupying the area that tobacco use is prohibited within the area.

§ 151-4 Designation of smoking/tobacco use area for large events.

With the written permission of the Director of Parks and Recreation, a designated smoking/tobacco use area may be identified within the park or recreation area for large events. A person smoking or using tobacco products in the designated area during a large event shall not be subject to a penalty.

§ 151-5 Enforcement.

The provisions of this chapter shall be enforced by citation. The following persons have authority to issue citations for violations pursuant to this chapter: City of Meriden Police Officer.

§ 151-6 Penalties for offenses.

A warning shall be issued for a first offense. The citation amount for a second offense shall be $25. The citation amount for a third offense shall be $50. The citation amount for the fourth or more offenses shall be $99. Such citation shall be on a form as prescribed by the City of Meriden.