With the new year, golfers can still smoke their tee shots at Canton Township's Pheasant Run and Fellows Creek golf courses, but they'll risk a fine if they smoke anything else.

The township’s board of trustees approved revisions to the Canton Parks and Recreation Ordinance to prohibit smoking of tobacco and other substances, as well as the use of vaping products on Canton Township’s Leisure Services facility properties and parks.

There will be designated areas where smoking is allowed on the two golf courses, but lighting up a stogie on the tee will be prohibited.

“These amendments to the Canton Parks Ordinance are being put into effect in an effort to support public health and ensure more enjoyable experiences for all visitors to Canton’s parks,” Canton Leisure Services Director Greg Hohenberger said. “Canton Township continues to respond to our residents’ needs by taking positive steps to keep health and wellness a top community priority.”

Under the ordinance, smoking is defined as the use of tobacco, marijuana or any other of its derivatives, or the use of vapor products or nicotine alternatives.

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Township parks that will be affected by the new law include Barchester Park, Freedom Park, Flodin Park, Griffin Park, Heritage Park, Independence Park, Kopper Park, Patriot Park, Preservation Park, Victory Park, as well as the Canton dog park.

Canton Leisure Services facility properties also covered under this ordinance include: the Summit on the Park; The Village Theater at Cherry Hill; The B.L.O.C.K. Youth & Teen Center and the Canton Sports Center.

The outdoor smoking ban follows a nationwide trend. As of January 2020, more than 1,300 parks systems are smoke-free across the nation, including the Michigan municipalities of Ann Arbor, Bad Axe, Cadillac, Charlevoix, Dearborn, Dexter, Escanaba, Howell, Huntington Woods, Lansing Township, Port Huron, Superior Township, Traverse City and Wells Township.

Contact reporter Ed Wright at eawright@hometownlife.com or 517-375-1113.