Park barbecues

Park barbecues are durable concrete or metal structures that allow residents to barbecue together in designated, safe places — an element of recreational areas in parks and residential estates which, like benches and litter bins, falls within the category of street furniture.

Permanent installation reduces the fire risk associated with improvised campfires in prohibited areas.

We usually position barbecues directly next to picnic tables and gazebos, while keeping a suitable distance from buildings and tall vegetation for fire safety reasons. A removable ash pan and a stainless steel grate make it easier for maintenance crews to clean the site regularly after each barbecue season.

Concrete barbecues offer the greatest resistance to high temperatures and vandalism, whereas steel versions, although they require regular maintenance against corrosion, usually offer a slightly larger grilling surface and easier installation in locations where the weight of a concrete structure would make transport and placement difficult.

An appropriate distance between the barbecue and tall vegetation or timber elements — benches, gazebos or fences — should be maintained from the design stage of the recreational area, reducing the risk of accidental fire from sparks given off by embers during use.

A stainless steel grate, unlike cast iron or mild steel versions, does not require a protective coating and withstands repeated heating and cooling cycles without damage, which for an intensively used public barbecue genuinely extends its service life compared with cheaper alternatives.

Barbecues placed directly next to picnic tables create a natural, complete dining area, popular with estate residents in summer — however, adequate manoeuvring space should be provided between the individual elements, particularly where larger groups use several stations at the same time.

Rules for using the park barbecue, displayed on an information sign next to the structure, help prevent misunderstandings regarding, for example, the hours during which it may be used or the need to clean up after barbecuing — a small detail that genuinely contributes to keeping shared spaces tidy.

Park barbecues installed in areas accessible to wheelchair users are designed with a suitable grate height and clear manoeuvring space around the structure, allowing comfortable use without having to overcome additional barriers.