Calgary warms up parks with temporary fire pits and free firewood
The city is putting temporary fire pits and free wood in several parks around Calgary to encourage people to socialize safely as cases of the coronavirus continue to spike.
"COVID has been tough on all of us. We're warming up select parks with temporary free-to-use fire pits this winter so you can gather with your family or cohorts safely outside," the city says on its website.
The small, residential-sized fire pits have been set up in community parks across the city.
They're free to use from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week. Priority will be given to people who book the pits with a permit; however, that's not required.
Bookable times are 12-3 p.m., 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Free firewood is available at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary from Thursday through Saturday from noon until 4 p.m.
The city asks that people gather only with others in their bubble, stay two metres apart and respect the limit of 10 people in an outside social gathering.
The fire pits are at the following parks:
There are also several permanent, in-ground fire pits at the larger regional parks around Calgary that are also available from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. any day of the week. Permits or booking are not necessary.
These fire pits are located at:
Park users are also permitted to bring their own portable propane fire pits to city parks any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
These fire pits must be used only in manicured areas with short grass or gravel and must be kept at least 10 metres away from playgrounds, benches and other structures.
Personal wood burning fire pits are not allowed.
Always bring water to put out the fire, as there might not be enough snow, the city says.
