Parks board OKs voluntary no‑smoking 'family beach' area at Michigan City beach

The Michigan City Parks and Recreation Board voted March 18 to designate a voluntary no‑smoking “family beach” area, placing the family zone away from lifeguard stands so lifeguards are not expected to enforce smoking rules.

Board members said the policy is intended as a social guideline rather than a law enforceable by citation. The chair argued the goal is to keep lifeguards focused on swimmers, saying there should be “less assumption that lifeguards are gonna monitor smoke” if the family area is set apart from the stand. A board member cited La Porte’s experience with a split beach where patrons self‑policed and the superintendent reported “no issues.”

Public commenter Scott Melon of Kenwood Place supported the measure as a social tool, telling the board: “This is just a tool where families can say, ‘oh, here’s a nice place for us, and we do want it by the lifeguards for the safety aspect.’” The board approved the motion; members said the designation will be monitored and could be changed if it does not work.

The vote was taken following public comment. The board did not create an ordinance or change smoking enforcement powers; members emphasized the proposal is a voluntary designation and said police would be called only if a separate disruptive incident occurred.