Parents worry about park's smokers

EVANSTON, Ill., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Parents worried about heavy-smoking by mental health patients say they're keeping their children away from an Evanston, Ill., city park.

The city's Grey Park off Main St. has teeter-totters and a tot lot but it is virtually unused because parents are worried about cigarette smoke and uncomfortable encounters with residents of the nearby Albany Care treatment facility who also use the park for breaks, The Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

One parent, Mike Jackson, told the newspaper that the patients "have essentially taken ownership of that park" while health center administrator Dennis Tossi says some residents "just have a fear, and I think it's unfounded."

The Tribune said city officials are trying to reach a compromise by holding public forums and exploring ways to attract more visitors to the park. Evanston Parks director Douglas Gaynor says the city has created conceptual drawings to upgrade the park and is open to suggestions from residents.

Among the ideas are eliminating the playground, designating a smoking area and revamping a dilapidated community garden in Grey Park.