South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District commissioners voted 4-1 Wednesday to restrict smoking in posted areas of the park, including ballfields, the two playgrounds and the skate park.

Trails and other areas in the park aren’t affected.

The lone dissenter, Parks Commissioner Jim Porter, wanted to extend the smoking ban throughout the park, including parking lots and the extensive trail system.

Parks director Terri Arnold explained that the district won’t be writing tickets or issuing citations, relying instead on peer pressure and gentle encouragement.

The latter would include posted signs detailing the new rules, and information packets displayed at kiosks and other areas throughout the district.

“We think park visitors will cooperate,” Arnold said.

The next parks meeting is 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 21 at district headquarters on Maxwelton Road in Langley.

For details, call Arnold at 221-5484.