The park barbecue is a great Memorial Day, Fourth of July or Labor Day standby. Gather your friends and fire up the grill in one of these park barbecue areas. If you're like us, you've gazed wistfully at the park barbecues in Prospect Park, admiring the BBQ and plentiful sides that line the picnic tables. Well, stand on the edges no longer—it's summer in NYC and there's a grill in a New York park just waiting for you. Consider this your go-to guide for nabbing a great spot on Memorial Day and other long weekends. RECOMMENDED: Get outdoors in NYC Grilling 101 1. All parks prohibit open fires, ground fires and propane.2. Keep grills at least ten feet away from trees and overhead branches.3. Parties of 20 or more in city parks must obtain a special-events permit for $25 (processing takes approximately one month) (Manhattan: 212-408-0226; Brooklyn: 718-965-8912; Queens: 718-393-7272; nyceventpermits.nyc.gov/parks).4. Dispose of coals in the marked drums, or extinguish with water and wrap in foil before putting in a nearby Dumpster. Manhattan parks with barbecuing areas For permits and other information, call 212-408-0226 or visit nycgovparks.org Riverside Park One of Manhattan’s more scenic areas, this four-mile stretch of waterfront has perhaps the city’s most idyllic grilling hangout. Cookouts are permitted anywhere north of West 145th Street, affording you and your friends plenty of room to spread out. And you’ll need your pals to help lug the equipment; it’s BYOG (bring yo
