Out of Control Barbecuing

Fire up the grill, America, it's still summer out there. That pastime is a bit of a tricky one here in New York, however, as Central Park doesn't allow grilling at all, and Prospect Park allows it in only nine designated locations. (For a list of all the designated locations, just in time for the last two weekends of summer, go here.) Now, the Daily News reports that citizens are chafing under the limitations and grilling wherever the hell they want to, and "Illegal grills are firing up all over Prospect Park."

Illegal barbecuing of course exacerbates the documented trash problems in the park, but live coals present a special hazardous trash-disposal problem. The News reports of overflowing coal boxes and coals being dumped at the foot of trees. Prospect Park welcomes barbecuing, calling themselves "the barbecue of record" (whatever that means) and offering a slideshow of barbecues on their website. But there may not be enough locations to satisfy the crowds: a Chowhound user reports needing to get to the park by 9:30 a.m. to get a spot ("bring a big book or a good friend"). And maintenance apparently is an issue.

The good news: the paper reports that enforcement is lax. "I'm not sure if it's the recession, like less people are working there, or apathy on the part of park management," a park user said. Another noted, "Park police never give tickets to barbecuers." Till now. How long before this revenue stream gets exploited? Ye have been warned.

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By John Kuhner in News on August 26, 2009 4:36 PM

Comments [rss]

The Agrokrag

Also, the parks department says nothing because they've been accused of racial profiling. Apparently only affluent white people dumps their coals on tree roots & the middle of the park...

Since when was common sense/courtesy judged on race?

McAwesome

Getting folks to move grills is problematic. They're full of hot coals, which creates a liability problem. Most people use those crappy $15 grills, which can't be safely moved.

Most of the reasoning behind grouping the grill areas is to provide the large ash trashcans and to centralize the trash mountains. Lots of people just dump their used coals on the ground, which creates bald patches. It's so annoying.

These guys have pictures of the ash cans and bald patches.

http://respectprospect.com/11-great-iphotos-2

BongoBoy

Someone wrote somewhere else that this Saturday during the Michael Jackson trinute you'll be able to moonwalk from one side of the park to the other on the grills and hot coals.

Besides, the Parks Department admits they cannot or will not enforce their own rules. Knuckleheads.

Snoopy

Seems like I remember the Hispanic community does a good job of barbecuing up in Roberto Clemente Park. But it's a state park I believe.

Trilby16

I know a nice spot to barbeque but I'm not telling you guys!

millipede

The last few times I've visited Prospect Park, I've grabbed a spot well outside the BBQ areas only to have someone come along set up a grill a few yards away. Soon, there's a cloud of smoke blowing in my direction. What's particularly annoying is that they tend to set up their grills quite a distance from their OWN chairs and blankets so the smoke won't spoil their meals.

T

This is just straight up poorly written and untimely. Step it, Gothamist.

eflash

there are plenty of places to barbecue in prospect park, but no one wants to walk all the way to the other side of the park before plopping down for a cookout...so they just set up right at their nearest entrance.