Barbecue Ban in Parks Is in for a Grilling

Here’s one hot off the grill: City Hall may lift a little-known ban on barbecuing in public parks.

An old ordinance forbids cooking in parks, but portable grills surrounded by families clutching paper plates tend to pop up on the weekends. Many violators and some city officials were unaware the law even existed, and until recently, enforcement was irregular.

Things changed when two park rangers were hired last year and, along with police, began giving verbal warnings to weekend chefs when residents near TeWinkle Memorial and other parks complained.

“People will bring their barbecue, hibachi, Smokey Joe or whatever and set up behind the neighbor’s home,” said Costa Mesa City Manager Allan L. Roeder.

Residents were irked by the smoke, smell and litter, prompting the city to revisit the ordinance, which conflictingly forbids barbecues and allows them in special circumstances.

“We’re trying to get it straightened out,” said Community Services Director Keith Van Holt.

Retaining an all-out-ban made little sense. This is a city, after all, that is so recreation-friendly it boasts a Bark Park for dogs, promises to build scores more athletic fields next to Costa Mesa High School and committed to revamping Fairview Park for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians.

“I was unaware that there was even a ban because it’s so commonly done,” City Councilman Joe Erickson said. “I think the purpose of a park is to allow people to have picnics and have gatherings, and the idea of doing away with them certainly isn’t appropriate in Costa Mesa.”

The City Council will consider lifting the moratorium Monday and clearing up conflicting passages in city law books.

If the changes receive tentative approval, they will need a final OK in about two weeks; grilling anywhere in city parks would become legal 30 days from then--well in time for Fourth of July.

At that point, park commissioners and staff might consider designating special areas in parks for barbecuing. The council staff also might seek a ban on fossil fuels, meaning charcoal, because of the mess. Propane grills would be allowed.

The problem is this: Cooks tend to dump smoldering coals anywhere they want, including bathroom sinks, drinking fountains, grass and trash cans.

“We’ve had a lot of problems with people dumping the briquettes,” Van Holt said.

Erickson said there may be a way to allow charcoal barbecues if the city installs special disposal containers.