GOSHEN —
Elkhart County commissioners Thursday voted to amend the current county-wide burn ban to include a ban on all campfires, recreational fires, grills fueled by wood or charcoal briquettes and smoking of any kind by anyone frequenting a county park and recreation facility.
The move was made following the prompting of Elkhart County Parks Department Director Larry Neff, who told commissioners Thursday he fears continuing to allow such activities on park property while the county remains under such extreme drought conditions is a recipe for disaster.
“We’re just continually moving into a dry period, and for the safety and preservation of our natural resources here, we decided this was a good time to do it,” Neff said of the reasoning behind his request. “It’s just time to do it.”
According to Neff, smoking has traditionally been allowed in the outdoor areas of all Elkhart County parks under normal conditions, as has the use of campfires and grills.
“We don’t allow smoking in any public buildings, but in the open air areas we do,” Neff said. “And we have grills everywhere in the parks, and most of the outside shelters have fire pits or fireplaces. But staff right now are putting up signs all over the place, at parking areas, near the bathrooms, anywhere they think will help get the word out.”
County Commissioners Terry Rodino and Frank Lucchese required little convincing during Thursday’s meeting, noting that even with the significant storm system that swept through the county early Thursday morning, the county still remains under one of the worst droughts in recent memory.
“Today’s rain is not a drought-buster by any stretch of the imagination,” Rodino said. “It is still dry, especially with your conditions out in the parks. So at this point I don’t think we could do anything but be cautious and do the right thing, and I think your request is the right thing for the safety of our residents and your parks.”
According to the official addendum approved by the commissioners Thursday, smoking, campfires and other recreational fires and grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or wood are now prohibited in all Elkhart County parks until such time as the county burn ban is lifted.
Within the addendum, “smoking” is defined as carrying, holding, or possessing a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other lighted tobacco smoking equipment.
“I think it’s the prudent thing to do,” Lucchese said of the addendum’s passage. “We want the parks there for everybody to enjoy later on in the year, and we just hope that people use their heads.”
As it stands now, the county burn ban prohibits county residents from using campfires or other recreational fires unless enclosed. Burning is allowed in burn barrels, however, but only those covered with a 1/4 inch mesh top and only from dusk to dawn. The ban also prohibits open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood or other combustible matter, with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal briquettes or propane.
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Larry Neff, director of the Elkhart County Parks Department, left, speaks to Elkhart County commissioners Frank Lucchese, center, and Terry Rodino, right, during a special meeting held Thursday to discuss amending the county burn ban to include greater restrictions on burning in county parks. JOHN KLINE | THE GOSHEN NEWS
Elkhart County Commissioners keep burn ban
Smoking, using grills, etc. not allowed at county parks
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