OWASCO - Gary Duckett doesn't mind people smoking in Emerson Park, although he wishes smokers didn't leave their cigarette butts on the ground.

The Cayuga County Parks and Trails director said there is just not enough security to enforce a smoking ban in the park.

Duckett and parks commissioners unanimously opposed an outright ban on smoking in Emerson Park during their meeting Wednesday night, but they also did say they would consider aspects of the proposal in the future.

“It's unanimous, we don't want to recommend doing this at this time,” Duckett said.

Anne McCarthy, Cayuga County Tobacco Free Coalition program coordinator, presented a county smoking survey to the commission in January, suggesting that the commission consider banning smoking in the park. The survey, conducted in 2006 by adult residents in the county, showed that 35.5 percent of people think smoking should be restricted in parks, McCarthy said.

Duckett said that survey results show that 30.6 percent of county adult residents smoke.

“I don't want to alienate that part of the population and make them uncomfortable coming to the park,” Duckett said.

In roughly four years, Duckett said he has never received a complaint about smoking in the park. Since the presentation to the commission last month, only one person showed support for the ban, he said.

The director explained that there is always a problem with cigarette litter, but with 135 acres of park land and one security guard, there is just not enough people to enforce the rule.

Some commissioners didn't think that one piece of property should be targeted for a ban when there are already smoking complaints at other county properties, including the County Office Building.

“I'm concerned about one parcel of the county's property getting singled out,” said Legislator Michele Sedor, D-Sennett. “It's not just Emerson Park the county oversees.”

Legislator Peter Tortorici, R-Auburn, also opposed the ban and said if it was considered a local law that it should remain separate from any existing local laws so that the public has the opportunity to weigh in on it, he said.

“You have to consider the flip-side of things,” McCarthy said Wednesday night. “How many people don't go to the park because of smoking?”

McCarthy suggested the commission at least consider creating a smoking barrier around playgrounds to prevent smoking. Smoking is already banned at school playgrounds, McCarthy said.

Duckett, a non-smoker, said the commission may consider looking at certain areas depending on public input.

“I wasn't surprised they tabled this issue but hope they come back to place a ban around playgrounds,” McCarthy said.

Staff writer Kristina Martino can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kristina.martino@lee.net