Smoking and vaping in parks and on the pier got another night of tighter-rule talk

The City Commission on July 13 gave Ordinance 2026-07 unanimous first-reading approval, widening a smoking and vaping ban from Splash Park and Ocean Hammock Park to city parks generally, the Pier area, and other city-owned park land.

City Attorney John Steinmetz presented the draft as a match to St. Johns County rules already on the books. Existing city code covered smoking at Splash Park and Ocean Hammock Park. The ordinance adds smoking and vaping definitions, bars both in the Pier area, Splash Park, Ocean Hammock Park, and other city-owned park properties, and folds electronic smoking and vaping products into the littering rules. Staff said city park properties, including parkettes, would be covered, and that county-owned parks inside the city stay under the county ordinance.

Commissioners clarified that cigar exemptions come from state law, not a local choice to leave anyone alone. Bob Samuels of 110 Mickler Blvd asked whether the ban reached all city park properties, including parkettes, and who sets the rules on county-owned parks used by city residents. Ashlyn Trischett of 118 8th Street said people already use designated receptacles while smoking near a public bench and asked the city to pull those receptacles and post signs if smoking is banned. Nick Binder of 232 Big Magnolia Court backed covering parkettes and gathering spots, including school-bus waits.

Vice Mayor Virginia Morgan moved approval. Mayor Beth Sweeny seconded. The motion passed unanimously, with Commissioner Dylan Rumrell absent. A public hearing and final reading were already on the August 3 agenda.