This week, as the weather gets warmer, we asked Bronx residents if they were aware that only particular areas of certain City parks are available for the public to host outdoor barbecues, (areas situated away from trees).

 

NYC Parks is reminding residents that there are designated BBQ areas within the City’s public parks where grilling and barbequing are permitted. Not all parks have designated BBQ areas, and BBQs are permitted only in specific sections of those parks. For more information, click here.

 

The Bronx includes but is not limited to the following locations:

• Van Cortlandt Park has two areas: Allen Shandler Recreation Area: Jerome Avenue, south of 233rd Street and Broadway, and West 242nd Street (adjacent to the pool).
• Bronx Park has one area: Boston Road and 180th Street.
• Claremont Park has one area: Morris Avenue and Teller Avenue.

 

Residents are also reminded to be cautious when barbecuing and to keep a safe distance from patrons, children, and trees, to be courteous to others, and to please clean the area carefully before leaving. Events involving more than 20 people require a special permit. For more information, click here.

 

NYC Parks rules prohibit littering and dumping of debris, the use of propane, barbecuing in non-authorized areas, and barbecuing next to trees, tree roots, or buildings. BBQs should be 10 feet or more from any structure and at least 3 feet off the ground. Any type of open, ground, or campfire is prohibited. Barbecuing by anyone 18 years or younger is prohibited.

 

All coal and matches must be disposed of in designated red barrels. Flammables should never be placed in a regular litter barrel. Use water to extinguish hot coals. Improperly dumped coal or matches can do major damage to parks.

 

“I was aware of that, and I do barbecue but not in the parks. We go in the backyard or a family member’s or a friend’s private house. I see people barbecuing on the street all the time. On the sidewalk, they’re partying out here. It’s not like back in the day when they had barbecue pits in the parks, some parks do, and some don’t. I think they should enforce the illegal cookouts more.”

Chevon Young,
Former University Heights resident now living in Yonkers

“Yes, in certain parks they allow barbecuing. Yes, I knew that. I don’t barbecue, but I used to cook out back in the day. I don’t know how things are these days; I haven’t been to the parks lately.”

Raven Chestnut,
Norwood

“I am against BBQs in public parks; it belongs in private yards. All that smoke is a nuisance. It seems the city could announce that better. I am only vaguely aware of certain places where I’ve seen it posted that there is a designated barbecue area. In a larger park, they could post that barbecues are only permitted in designated areas, but it gets really tricky with the smaller parks, where there are no barbecuing areas. It is annoying when people do it anyway.”

Roger Fentener Van Vlissingen,

Parkchester

“I’m all for public barbecues as long as folks are provided the tools to clean up properly with compost and recycling bins and actually use them. Nothing is worse than seeing trash scattered across the park or blowing into the street the next day. If someone is hosting a birthday barbecue, either they have to get there early to hold the space, or they’re out of luck. Often, they end up barbecuing wherever they find a space. I think it’s more about education and why parks have designated barbecue areas. I also think NYC Parks needs to provide more trash and recycling receptacles.”

Anthony Ramirez ll,
Parkchester

“Barbecuing in public parks should be better designated and enforced. That was a recent highlighted discussion at the Community Board 7 Parks meeting that your own paper’s editor-in-chief attended (story to follow). It should be allowed, designated, and enforced. It’s the latter that is lacking. I do think more public outreach is needed, but the powers at the front don’t want to spend money on it.”

Anthony Rivieccio,
Bedford Park

 

As reported in November 2024, following several brush fires across the City, including in the Highbridge section of the Bronx on Nov. 8, as well as wildfires in New Jersey, New York City Mayor Eric Adams took additional measures to mitigate the increased fire risk amid a historic streak of dry weather in the City and banned barbecues in public parks while the City remained under drought watch. Smoking and other sources of open flame remain illegal throughout the parks system.