The days of disposable barbecues damaging the grass at Dundee’s historic Magdalen Green could be numbered.
Following a campaign by the voluntary group that helps look after the West End park, the city council is planning to add more static barbecues.
Now, the Friends of Magdalen Green have begun leafleting residents, asking for their views on the plans and for suggestions about where the two new picnic benches with built-in barbecues should go.
Friends member and West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said the new tables “would hopefully help reduce damage to the grass through disposable barbecues.”
The park is a popular spot for picnics in the summer. But there have been frequent problems with disposable barbecues leaving unsightly scorch marks.
Three static stands were introduced in 2007 so cooking could be done safely. However, these have not proved sufficient for demand at busy times.
The Friends have continued to press for more to be installed, leading to the council’s decision, and they are now hoping the residents’ consultation can assist in deciding where the new benches should go.
The group will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, May 25, at 7pm in Dundee West Church, Perth Road.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and there will be a free lecture by Charles McKean, Dundee University’s professor of Scottish architectural history, called Did The 20th Century Nearly Kill Dundee?