Smoking and e-cigs extinguished at most Gaithersburg parks

Smoking is now prohibited within 25 feet of city playgrounds in Gaithersburg, including e-cigarettes, under a new park ordinance passed by the Mayor and Council in July. The rules took effect yesterday. Only some smaller parks, such as Constitution Gardens, are exempt from the 25-foot ban.

Other changes under the new ordinance? The dog exercise area at Green Park is now for city residents only, and sledding, tobogganing, snowboarding, and skiing are now permitted in city parks. Not permitted? Launching model rockets without permission from the city.