In Wenatchee the City Council plans to make city parks smoke-free zones. Even this ordinance is under discussion, it has been already acclaimed the fines for smoking and drinking in city parks. So, if you decided to light up be ready for a fine of $50. Heavier fine of $250 was set for consuming drugs or alcohol in a park.

Pleasure of smoking and drinking a cold alcohol enjoying the beauty of nature can cost you around 300$.Impressive, yes?

These restrictions ought to make the “Apple Capital of the World” clean and fresh as if smoking is prohibited, cigarette butts will simply disappear and nonsmokers will breathe the fresh scent of flowers not of cigarette smoke.

Several council members expressed concern about voting without first hearing from citizens.

“We probably need to debate a little bit and think about this some more (before voting),” Councilman Craig Larsen said.

Though, Dave Erickson, city parks director thinks that it is time for concrete actions.

“Most of these rules have been in effect but never formally adopted by the city. Right now we're looking at formalizing them,” Erickson said.

“Really most of them are common-sense rules and are consistent with what a lot of cities already have in place.”

11 of 13 city parks would be affected by ban. Exception is made for the Rainbow Park, on North Wenatchee Avenue, and Locomotive Park, near the Sen. George Sellar Bridge. The ban would also not apply to Walla Walla Point Park and Riverfront Park, which are both owned by the Chelan County PUD.