(Fredericksburg, VA) – To promote a healthier community and the well-being of its residents and visitors, the City of Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events Department has joined the Share The Air awareness campaign by working to make all of its parks and outdoor recreational areas smoke-free, vapor-free and tobacco-free. The new guidelines apply to the City’s parklands, park facilities, open public spaces, playgrounds, shelters and trails.
The primary goal of this statewide campaign is to create 100% tobacco-free outdoor public spaces by encouraging local parks and recreation departments and government officials to adopt comprehensive tobacco-free and e-cigarette-free outdoor practices. Smoke, e-cigarettes and other tobacco products cannot only be toxic to humans, animals and the river ecosystem, but can also harm people’s enjoyment of the outdoors and nature. By supporting Share The Air, the City’s beauty is also being preserved. The newly implemented practice is expected to have several positive effects, including reducing tobacco and vape litter, minimizing residents’ exposure to secondhand smoke and promoting positive role modeling for youth who frequent our open green spaces. Fredericksburg is joining over 15 other Share the Air partners throughout the state of Virginia in this effort.
“We are excited to partner with Share The Air to provide safe and healthy places to play and recreate,” stated Todd Brown, Director of Parks, Recreation and Events. “Fredericksburg City residents and visiting park users will begin seeing the Share the Air signs in our parks this spring. This awareness campaign is to serve as another reminder of the City’s commitment to promoting a healthier community and a green, clean environment.”
“The Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation and Events Commission is pleased to support the Share the Air initiative,” stated Sue Sargeant, Commission Chair. “We hope that the PRE Department and City Council will adopt a tobacco-free policy in all outdoor recreation areas, at all times, including our treasured parks, pathways, and public event spaces for the benefit of our residents and visitors.” For more information, please visit FXBGparks.com or call 540-372-1086.