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How do park staff in communities with an existing park policy feel about the policy? <br />In the summer of 2004, we interviewed 257 park directors from cities and counties in Minnesota's 200 <br />largest cities. Overall, 70 communities reported a tobacco -free policy, which represents 36% of <br />Communities surveyed. Park directors with policies had positive experiences, as most reported that park <br />policies were "not difficult" to pass, and 90% would recommend such a policy to other communities. <br />Changes after implementation <br />When park directors were asked about changes after tobacco -free policy adoptions: <br />0 58% reported less litter in park areas. <br />0 74% reported no problems with policy violators. <br />0 88% reported no changes in park usage. <br />0 For those reporting a change in park use following the policy, <br />71 % reported an increase in usage. <br />0 Publicity about the policy was reported to be adequate (86%), <br />and few (7%) reported any negative publicity. <br />Difficulty in passing a tobacco -free <br />park policy, Minnesota 2004 <br />Enforcement <br />Enforcement was an area of worry for nearly all park directors without a <br />policy. However, in communities with a policy, few park directors (26%) <br />reported compliance problems. Staffing was an issue, as 74% reported <br />too few staff to enforce the policy and/or monitor all park areas. <br />Park director support <br />Out of the 257 park directors interviewed, nearly all personally <br />supported tobacco -free policies. Reasons for their support included: <br />0 96% wanted to establish positive role models for youth. <br />89% wanted to promote community well-being. <br />92% wanted to reduce youth opportunity to smoke. <br />92% wanted to avoid litter from cigarette butts. <br />Major Conclusions: <br />Ej The majority of Minnesotans support tobacco -free park and recreation policies. <br />o Park staff have experienced few problems and many benefits with the policies, <br />and overwhelmingly recommend tobacco -free policies to other communities. <br />This study was conducted by the University of Minnesota, Schools of Public Health and Kinesiology, in partnership <br />with Tobacco -Free Youth Recreation and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, and supported by the <br />Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco. For more information, contact study coordinator Liz Klein at <br />klein L@epi.umn.edu or call (612) 626-1799. <br />,to'!CA50TA RECRE4 <br />V A00S 14r,110 <br />S AV <br />0y, <br />MYOUTH aff(MMIRIOR <br />w"ta mn <br />r,,nsr ! org <br />Derember 2005 <br />