Sidney Parks & Signs

You may have noticed something different about Sidney’s city parks lately. There might be quite a few noticeable differences in the parks but one major difference is the “Tobacco Free Play Zone” and “No Alcohol Permitted” signs. What started as community concern, turned into a question, and now is a reality.

Community members were becoming quite concerned with alcohol use and smoking in the public parks. During sports games and at the playgrounds people raised the question, “Are drinking and smoking what we want our children to see, and are we, as adults, sending a message to our youth that we need these substances to have fun?”

It is illegal to drink alcohol beverages in the city parks unless a permit is obtained from the city. It is also not permitted to smoke in the play zones. “Many community members know of the law and follow it but due to an increase in the community’s population it was believed that a reminder placed in our parks was necessary,” said Sidney City Council Member Rick Norby.

Due to the hard work and dedication of community members and city crews you can now see the reminders for yourselves.

Signs may not seem like much, but, it is the location of the signs and the message they are sending that is significant. Adults need to reinforce the idea that our youth don’t need alcohol and tobacco to have fun.  The “Tobacco Free Play Zone” and “No Alcohol Permitted” signs serve as a reminder to people of all ages. The community supports providing children with healthy, safe places to play.