On November 16, 2017, the Village of Dryden joined more than 450 municipalities in New York State that have passed regulations restricting tobacco use in outdoor recreational areas - each of which demonstrates a healthy, tobacco-free community norm, especially for youth. Boys from the William George Agency had an important role in bringing the smoking policy back to the forefront. In late fall 2016, Reality Check began working with boys in one of the cottages - learning statistics and facts related to tobacco use and the effects on their health. They also learned how tobacco is marketed to them directly, as youth - to become replacement smokers. In June 2017, the boys discussed why they feel Montgomery Park should be tobacco free. They flagged tobacco litter throughout the park giving us all a clear message of the tobacco use in the park. Followed by the boys cleaning up all the litter. They then made a video calling for a smoke-free park, which was compiled and sent to the Dryden Village Trustees. The boys also made a gratitude tree, which was presented to the village board at the public hearing.
This local law shall be filed with the Secretary of State and become effective January 1, 2018. The law prohibits all tobacco use at Montgomery Park, on the section of the Schug Trail that's within the village borders, at the Town Hall property and parking lot, and at a couple of other village owned monuments and park areas.
