Cedar Park Bans Grilling At City Parks On Independence Day

CEDAR PARK, TX — Grilling is as much a part of a good, old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration as popping fireworks and waving flags. But this year, outdoor cooking at city parks will be banned in Cedar Park due to dry weather conditions, city officials said on Wednesday.

Cedar Park is temporarily closing its wood/charcoal-burning grills located throughout city-operated parks, due to ongoing dry weather conditions, officials said in a press advisory. The move comes as hot, dry conditions are expected in the next ten-day forecast and most of the rest of the summer, officials explained. Given such arid conditions, both Williamson and Travis counties are currently under a burn bans mode.

Park visitors in the coming days leading up to the Fourth of July hoping to grill out will be met with signage covering up charcoal and wood pits alerting to the ban on such outdoor cooking.

“A few weeks ago the Fire Department felt that ground moisture was good enough to allow wood and charcoal grilling in our city parks," Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger said. "That has since changed. Unfortunately, the rain subsided and grasses are now turning yellow throughout the community. Uncontrolled sparks or flames from grilling, smoking, fireworks and other activities can easily start a fire during these dry conditions.”

Parks patrons who have rented a pavilion wishing to grill in city parks are welcome to bring their own gas grill to use in lieu of charcoal or wood grills in order to cook within city parks, officials said. Still, Mallinger stressed the importance of practicing grilling safety – especially during these dry weather conditions.

“When grilling, whether at home or in one of our parks, it is important to have a water supply or fire extinguisher nearby,” the chief said.

Grills in city parks will remain closed until the counties’ lift their burn bans, according to city officials.

>>> Photo of covered-up city park grill courtesy of Cedar Park