The new Seattle Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct goes into effect on April 1.

The Code of Conduct brings together in a single document all the behaviors not allowed on some or all park property and includes provisions from Washington state law, Seattle City ordinance, already-adopted administrative rules and some provisions.

Violation of these rules can result in exclusion from a park or a group of parks.

New prohibited behaviors include:

• Possession of glass containers at athletic fields, beaches or children’s playgrounds.
• Smoking, chewing or other tobacco use within 25 feet of other park patrons and/or at play areas, beaches, playgrounds and picnic areas.
• Conduct that poses a risk of harm to any person or property.
• Possession of explosives, acid or any other article or material capable of causing serious harm to others.

Prohibiting smoking in some parks is consistent with Seattle Parks and Recreation’s mission to provide healthy, safe places for people to congregate and sends a message to Seattle’s youth that the norm is for public places to be smoke-free, according to a Parks press release.

Controversial rules banning spitting, entering restrooms designated for the opposite sex, leaving backpacks or other personal items unattended and a total smoking ban were removed from the Code of Conduct before its approval.

On Feb. 17, Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher issued a complete smoking ban on Parks property that also would have gone into effect April 1. On Feb. 18, he removed the total ban.

Click here to see the new Parks and Recreation Code of Conduct.