Ban on Grilling at Parks Repealed

Next time residents barbecue in public parks, the only rules they have to worry about breaking are dietary.

A little-known ban on firing up grills at parks was repealed Monday.

The law was rarely enforced until residents who live near TeWinkle Memorial and other parks began complaining of smoke and litter. Police and park rangers verbally warned violators.

Officials said they still need to give the ordinance change final approval but would not enforce the ban in the interim unless park visitors cooked too close to homes or otherwise behaved inappropriately.

Council members also directed their staff to work with park commissioners in determining the best and safest places to grill in city parks, a safe method of disposing of charcoal and the possibility of installing city-owned cookers.