News of the smoking ban, which made lighting anything in a public park punishable by a fine of $250, caused quite the uproar last December. Menino, a longtime champion of public health, enthusiastically supported the measure to ensure smoke-free greenery. But one year later, the legislation seems to have only succeeded in wasting Boston’s time, money, and anger.

A few weeks ago, we ran a piece about the BPD’s long overdue response to a request for internal communications and information regarding the city’s annual Freedom Rally, and how it might run up against the newly-enacted city parks-wide smoking ban. What we got back - or really, what we didn’t get back - was surprising.