Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent Tim Gallagher decided Feb. 18 to relax a rule banning smoking in parks one day after he created it.

The ban would have gone into effect April 1, but Gallagher reversed course and approve the original recommendation of the Board of Park Commissioners.

The board recommended this language in the Parks Code of Conduct: “Smoking, chewing or other tobacco use is banned within 25 feet of other park patrons and in play areas, beaches or playgrounds.”

“Based on the input from the public that followed my initial decision, I have decided that a gradual approach to a smoking ban is reasonable," Gallagher said.

The code of conduct was adopted under the Superintendent’s rulemaking authority and brings together in a single document all the behaviors that could cause the city to withdraw a person’s permission to be in a park.

Sections of the new code of conduct, including ones prohibiting spitting and entering public restrooms meant for a different gender, have already been removed after public input.

The code includes provisions that exist in the Revised Code of Washington, the Seattle Municipal Code, as well as new and existing park rules.

Click here to see the new Parks Code of Conduct.