Summertime, and the grillin's easy

Music and laughter filled the air at Van Cortlandt Park over the weekend as families set up tents and folding chairs, opened bags of charcoal and peeled back the tin foil on trays of dry rub chuletas and carne asado, chicken drumsticks and hot dogs, baked potatoes and corn on the cob. 

That’s right: barbecue season is in full swing.

Ori the Chihuahua yapped when intruders came too close to the grill and children sprinted madly through the trees, chasing each other after a refreshing dip in the park’s pool. Under the shade of giant oak and maple trees, the entire congregation from the Harlem Church of Christ held Sunday Service and followed with a “Love Feast” of salad, fruit and five kinds of barbecue chicken wings (jerk, Italian, fried, BBQ and hot). The month of July may have been national grilling month, but August in the Bronx is certainly holding its own.

In Van Cortlandt, barbecues are allowed in the space near Manhattan College and the West 242nd Street subway stop as well as in the Shandler Recreation Area on the east side of the park. Several barbecue grills are provided in both locations, although many choose to bring their own. 

Coal comfort

The Department of Parks and Recreation lists barbecuing locations and guidelines at www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/barbecue. Rules include:

- Permits are required for groups of 20 or more.

- Barbecuing is allowed in designated areas only.

- No barbecuing permitted under trees.

- All coals and litter must be disposed in trash receptacles.