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A number of new rules could soon go into effect in Washington County parks, including a ban on marijuana and THC products.
A public hearing on the proposed new rules was held Tuesday. The county board is expected to approve the new parks ordinance next month.
Under the proposed new ordinance, it would be unlawful to “vaporize, smoke, serve, possess, display, or consume cannabis flower, cannabis products, lower-potency hemp edible, artificially derived cannabinoids, or hemp-derived consumer products” in county parks.
“With the state legislation that came through, it was necessary to update our ordinance regarding cannabis products,” said Parks Director Alex McKinney.
Minnesota in 2023 became the 23rd state to legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older.
Alcoholic beverages are banned in county parks unless otherwise authorized by use permit, and it is unlawful for anyone to be under the influence “to the point of intoxication, or loss of motor skills or consciousness, or other factors that may injure the party or adversely affect other park or conservation area visitors.”
It also is unlawful to use tobacco within 100 feet of any beach or playground, inside any park building or structure, and in other locations as designated by the director. Under the proposed new ordinance, it also would be unlawful to use any form of tobacco or electronic cigarette product within 100 feet of any fishing pier in a county park, McKinney said.
The proposed new ordinance also would allow for additional future restrictions on tobacco use, as directed by the county board, McKinney said. “That means that in the future, if the county board decides to go tobacco-free in the parks, we would be able to make that change right away without updating the entire ordinance,” he said.
E-bikes OK
Also under the proposed ordinance, e-bikes and e-scooters with motors smaller than 1,000 watts will be allowed on roads and designated trails in county parks. Operators, however, must use them in a “prudent and careful manner” and stay “as close as practicable to the right-hand side of the authorized trail or roadway as conditions permit,” according to the ordinance.
Foraging for mushrooms, berries, nuts, seeds and oil also will be allowed in county parks under the new ordinance for park users with a permit. Foraging activities must be for personal use and in designated areas, McKinney said, and impacts caused by foraging must be able to be naturally restored.
The permits will be free, but park users must obtain one to demonstrate that they “understand the areas where they are allowed to forage and what they are allowed to forage for,” he said.
The new parks ordinance also allows for flexibility regarding pets at campgrounds in county parks. The proposed ordinance does not currently allow pets in county campgrounds, but if the county board decides in the future to allow them, the board would be able to make that change immediately without having to update the entire ordinance, he said.
Commissioner Michelle Clasen said she hopes the county board decides to allow dogs to stay overnight at county campgrounds in the future.
“We have a designated equine campground at Lake Elmo Park Reserve that allows horses overnight,” she said. “I would love a designated area for dogs as well.”
County officials are reviewing the staff costs involved in having dogs at county campgrounds, she said.
