Road Trip with Grill Ambassadors: Enjoying Summer, Sunshine, and Cleanliness
In the heart of Germany, a unique community-based initiative called the Cologne Grill-Scouts is making a significant impact in maintaining order and cleanliness in public spaces.
Based in Cologne, this group of trained volunteers, including Vera Drewke, Sabrina Scholtisseck, and Nisa Bagci, monitor public grilling activities in parks and open spaces during summery weather. Their role is not one of enforcement but of education and positive engagement.
The Cologne Grill-Scouts approach grillers kindly, explaining local regulations, such as designated areas, fire safety, and littering rules, in a clear and patient manner. They offer alternatives or solutions, like directing grillers to proper grill sites, and avoid immediate fines or penalties unless warnings are ignored.
This non-confrontational approach is designed to maintain order while preserving the social and recreational value of grilling in public spaces. It contrasts with more aggressive enforcement that could lead to conflicts or negative public perception.
Last year, the Grill-Scouts in Cologne distributed 31,399 trash bags and had 5,286 "contacts." They patrol parks on behalf of the Cologne Waste Management Authority, and during the summer months, they can be seen walking up to 20 kilometers in a day.
The reactions to the Grill-Scouts are overwhelmingly positive, and they are often offered food to share. Vera Drewke, one of the Grill-Scouts, recalls a recent encounter where she met a group of young people who were unfamiliar with underfloor containers for disposing of grill waste.
Public grilling has become a contentious issue in many German cities due to heavy littering and smoke nuisance. However, in Cologne, the Grill-Scouts' goal is to keep green spaces clean, and they have been successful in their mission.
Elsewhere in Germany, such as in Hamburg, more districts are reportedly checking the rules and imposing high fines for wild grilling. In contrast, the Cologne Grill-Scouts' approach, with its emphasis on education and cooperation, seems to be a more effective and well-received method.
This summer, several thousand residents in Berlin started a petition demanding a "respectful use" of the grill area in the Volkspark Friedrichshain, suggesting that the Cologne Grill-Scouts' model could potentially be replicated in other cities.
In conclusion, the Cologne Grill-Scouts are an excellent example of community-based initiatives that promote responsible behaviour in public spaces while fostering a positive and cooperative relationship between citizens and local authorities.
- The Cologne Grill-Scouts, who are part of a community-based initiative in Germany, extend their influence to other aspects of lifestyle, offering recipes and gardening tips through their home-and-garden section.
- To further enrich their food-and-drink section, the Cologne Grill-Scouts organize outdoor-living events, where they demonstrate various barbecue recipes and share tips on sustainable and eco-friendly cooking practices.
- Recognizing the success of the Cologne Grill-Scouts, other cities are implementing similar community-based initiatives that promote a responsible lifestyle in public spaces, incorporating elements of cooking, outdoor-living, home-and-garden, and contentious issues like food-and-drink regulations.
