Barbecuing in Fort Greene Park

In most of Fort Greene Park barbecuing and open fires are not permitted. Some barbequing is allowed, but only in the designated barbecuing area, which is located by the picnic tables near the Myrtle Avenue/St. Edwards Street entrance. There is an exception to this rule for three holidays in the summer: Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.

The Park Rules for barbecues in all NYC parks posted on the NYC Parks Department website clearly states:
• Barbecuing is allowed in designated areas only during hours when the park is open.
• There is no barbecuing under trees.
• All coals and litter must be disposed of in separate steel trash receptacles.

Unfortunately most of Fort Greene Park is not equipped to handle barbecuing. The issues are threefold; 1. most barbecuing is done under the trees for shade, which then burns the leaves and branches; 2. there is nowhere to dump the hot coals afterwards, and, 3. the garbage and leftover food causes rodents, blight and other public health issues.

Because there are no proper disposal facilities for the hot coals, these still burning coals are frequently dumped on the ground, the grass or on the base of trees. This not only damages the grass and trees, it also allows the toxic chemicals found in all charcoal to enter into the soil. According to the Kingsford Charcoal Company, these chemicals are poisonous to humans, animals and vegetation - and if ingested by children or animals one should call the Poison Control Center's Emergency Hotline immediately (1-800-222-1222). The trees is the park are one of our greatest assets and must be protected. The shade they provide is a major reason people go to the park in the first place.

While in the past the Parks Department may have turned a blind eye to the barbecuing, nowadays due to the increased usage of the park for a variety of activities it is necessary to prevent damage to the park's assets for the continued benefit of all park goers. This goes along with city-wide park restrictions relating to dog owners, public drinking, drug use, public gatherings and other illegal activities. If you have questions, please refer to the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation website. For their complete list of Prohibited Uses click here.