Barbecue coals dumped at base of trees in a Mississauga park

Numerous piles of barbecue coals dumped around a Mississauga park on the weekend angered residents.

A resident posted several photos of barbecue coals dumped at the base of trees and a person barbecuing at the foot of a tree in Jack Darling Memorial Park on the weekend.

People also dumped the coals in bushes.

“We all need to make this our fight. They are our trees!” the person wrote in a post on the Port Credit Friends Facebook page.

The numerous incidents angered fellow parkgoers.

“The lack of common sense and logic is just outrageous. Do people just not care about others around them or property anymore??” one person wrote.

“Darn, seriously, we need a course in civilized behaviour, Disgusting,” another person wrote.

Other people suggested that the City of Mississauga staff patrol the park. Adding signage and bins could also address the issue. While others wanted to ban barbecuing in the park altogether.

The Facebook post shows coals dumped in the park.

A City of Mississauga spokesperson tells INsauga.com there are hot coal disposal bins in Jack Darling Memorial Park and in other popular parks including Lakefront Promenade, Erindale, Mississauga Valley and Meadowvale Conservation Area.

“The coal disposal bins are bright red for ease of identification,” the spokesperson said in an email. “We encourage anyone hosting a picnic with family and friends in Mississauga’s parks to dispose of hot coals in these bins to help keep our green spaces clean and safe for everyone.”

The City of Mississauga prohibits damage to any tree, shrub or plant in parks and barbecue embers must be disposed of in a designated location, according to the city park rules and regulations. 

People can report improper disposal of hot coals by calling 311.

Lead photo: Caio