Hundreds descended on Waterlow Park near Highgate Cemetery in spring sunshine, playing loud music and leaving piles of refuse, some of it still smouldering the next day.
Camden Council had previously allowed barbecues in two designated areas, but told the Ham&High it has outlawed them after revellers flouted rules.
The Highgate Village Green Preservation Society gathered more than 650 signatures in a petition calling for a total ban.
The conservation group complained of pollution from smoke, ash particles and smells, as well as harm to trees, grass and wildlife, as well as the “visual pollution” of information signs and industrial ash bins.
The remains of a barbecue in Waterlow Park (Image: Lorna Russell)
Annie Rigby, who launched her own petition in 2019, told the Ham&High: “There have been massive events in the park with a huge influx of people playing very loud music, burning barbecues in both the designated and undesignated zones, defecating in the bushes, fighting, leaving huge amounts of rubbish, and barbecue bins still smoking the next morning.”
Barbecues were already banned on Hampstead Heath, run by the City of London Corporation, and Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park, operated by Royal Parks.
Ms Rigby said Hackney Council banned barbecues in 2018 as cooking on them for two or more hours results in “very high” local levels of particulate pollution.
Islington has also banned their use in parks.
Speaking before the ban was announced, she added: “Camden is the only local authority in London still allowing the burning of charcoal fires in its public spaces, so more and more people are coming to Waterlow Park in the summer to have a barbecue.
“It is not a big enough space to absorb the music, the smoke, the additional traffic and the people.
“Wherever you are in the park, you can’t get away from the noise, the smell or the smoke.”
Highgate Green Party councillor Lorna Russell had called for an immediate blanket ban “before something very serious happens”.
She said: “We’re only two weeks into the spring and already the barbecuing at Waterlow Park has attracted crowds well beyond the capacity of the park. Quite simply, the situation is already out of control.
“I’m concerned about what it will mean for the destruction of the park, the air quality of our local area, the disruption to local residents, and – crucially – the safety of everyone involved.”
Announcing the ban, which so far applies only to Waterlow Park, Camden Council spokesperson said: “Camden’s parks are vital spaces for our residents. Two out of five of our residents do not have access to a garden at their home and our parks offer beautiful spaces to relax, socialise and exercise.
“We want everyone to enjoy themselves and this means we will keep our policy of allowing barbecues in our parks in the summer under regular review.”
