Outdoor Cooking

About this pattern

Cooking facilities built into parks allow for wide access and use. Outdoor cooking reduces heat and moisture inside buildings during periods of heat. Cooking spaces benefit from the inclusion of overhead shelter to protect cookers from direct sunlight but need to be well ventilated.

Outdoor cooking facilities attract gatherings of families and friends, encouraging shared cooling outdoors. They can be an important part of both day and night-time use of parks that are central to local festivities, sports events and social events such as children’s birthday parties (Özgüner 2011).

Pattern Conditions

Enablers

• Grant applications to funded community health and sports programs  can include budgets for developing outdoor cooking areas.
• Appropriate tree shading and seating (see the pattern GATHERING OUTDOORS ) for eating areas will encourage use.

Constraints

• Facilities need to cater to diverse cultural cooking practices (Özgüner, 2011).
• To attract night-time usage, facilities need to be appropriately lit.
• Stoves and barbecues can be dangerous to the unskilled, such as children. Cooking facilities need to be user-friendly, and inclusive for people of different cultures and people with disabilities, as well as being well-maintained and kept clean.

Commoning Concerns

Access: Access for all in the community.

Use: Public events, festivities, concerts, sports, outdoor party.

Benefit: Reduced indoor heat from cooking during hot and warm months of the year; conducive to active and healthy communities.

Care: Local Government Authority; private landowner; land trust; community of commoners.

Responsibility: Local Government Authority; private landowner; land trust; community of commoners

Ownership: Local Government Authority; private landowner; community land trust

Generally outdoor cooking facilities are provided on a first come, first served basis. During peak park use, scheduling access to cooking facilities may be required to ensure a clear and fair process. Users can be enabled and encouraged to keep cooking facilities well-maintained and cleaned after each use through appropriate signage and the provision of cleaning equipment. Gathering to cook outdoors on hot nights can become a social ritual. Cooking smells can elicit complaint.