Hart and Otter Springs will change tobacco rules

By John M. Ayers

The Gilchrist County Commission took action Monday to approve a request from Park Managers Mitchell Gentry of Hart Springs and Kadie Ogden of Otter Springs to designate limited tobacco use areas away from swimming areas.
Commissioner D. Ray Harrison, Jr. made a motion to approve the request to have tobacco free designated areas at the two parks. Commissioner Sharon Langford gave a second to the motion before it was passed by a unanimous vote.
The managers of the two parks reported they would identify the areas that will become tobacco free, primarily along the springs, swimming area, the boardwalk at Hart Springs and areas that become congested when the parks are near capacity. Commissioner Kenrick Thomas warned the park managers that people that smoke and chew smokeless tobacco also pay their money to get into these recreation areas and they have a right to enjoy these parks as well. The park managers will now work with Quit Doc to have signs made and put up at these designated areas of the parks.