An appeal has been made to urge visitors to our country parks to be more careful when using disposable barbecues after a rise in damage to benches, picnic tables and green spaces.
More and more park furniture is being burned or scorched because barbecues are placed directly on them.
Councillor Helen Loughran, Convener of the Environment Committee, said: “We want everyone to enjoy our country parks, but we all have a part to play in looking after them.
“This kind of damage is expensive to fix and adds pressure to already stretched budgets.
“Too often, we’re seeing benches and picnic tables badly damaged by barbecues being placed directly on them.
“We’ve also had worrying reports of hot coals being dumped on grass, and even into lochs and rivers. This doesn’t just scar the landscape — it harms local wildlife and the environment too.”
Visitors to country parks are being reminded to:
- Never place barbecues directly on park furniture
- Use designated barbecue areas if available
- Always dispose of coals and waste properly
Recent photos show the damage being caused and the real impact this is having on public spaces.
“Let’s all do our bit to keep our parks clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone — now and for future generations,” added Cllr Loughran.