Members of Students Together Empowering Peers (STEP), a group of local youth organized through the BOLD Coalition, assisted in placing no-smoking signs throughout a number of Fall River Parks on August 11, 2014. Jeremy Clark, Jason Fournier, and Justin Reis worked under the direction of SSTAR Prevention Services Director Michael Aguiar to place the signs as authorized by the City's Board of Park Commissioners earlier this year in nine of the City's parks. The signs request people to "Help Us Keep This Area Smoke and Tobacco Free" or, in the case of children's playgrounds, that "This is a No Smoking Area." "While this is not an ordinance, and there is no fine associated with smoking in the areas of the parks where children gather, the signs simply request adults not to smoke in these areas," stated Parks and Recreation Director Nancy Smith. "We're hopeful that people will do as the signs advise and not expose children to second-hand smoke and it's associated health risks, "she added. The signs were purchased through a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Community Transformation Grant that went to the Southcoast YMCA to increase the numbers of smoke-free multi-unit residences, workplace campuses and other environments in Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham. For more information about STEP, contact Mike Aguiar at 508-324-3598. 

(Top row) STEP members Jeremy Clark, Jason Fournier, and Justin Reis enter the new Highland Park Playground to post some of the new signs. (Row two) Jason makes sure the sign will be easily visible to those who use the playground and the basketball courts. (Row three) Justin assists Jason with the placement and the group looks over the list of remaining signs and discusses more placements with Prevention Services Director Michael Aguiar. (Bottom row) Signs are now posed at the Kennedy Park Inclusion Playground as well as at the baseball diamond.