Letter: What’s left to enjoy outdoors?

The Vancouver City Council shut down smoking in Esther Short Park and all other city parks. Seems to me that if smoke bothers nonsmokers, they could use another route around the smoker. Oh, that’s right, the council is doing this to protect me from the effects of my smoking.

OK, let’s look at making the park safer.

Take the playground equipment. Do you realize that every time a kid uses the equipment he or she spreads germs to each child who follows on the equipment? We’d better shut down the play equipment to protect the kids.

The waterworks has to go. Who knows what bacteria is in the water from all those people wading in it?

Heaven knows we have to ban perfume or aftershave. Who knows what chemicals I’m breathing in?

Now the railroad definitely has to be moved; every time a train goes by it spews pollution that settles in the park. Let’s move it across the river to Oregon. End of that problem.

Let’s fence off this haven of germ infestation and pollution and protect the public. Oh, and don’t mow the park; pollution from the lawn mowers could be bad for you.

Guess I’ll go smoke at a dog park. They, at least, have enough sense to stay away from my smoke.

Robert Finck

VANCOUVER