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Poplar Beach pilot fire pits draw heavy use; designer recommends 6–10 permanent pits, reservation option
Summary
A volunteer pilot at Poplar Beach proved popular, reduced illegal bonfires and litter, and produced design lessons; staff and volunteers recommended a phased permanent program with 6–10 pits, grates instead of lids, ember screens, reservation options and an estimated per-pit build cost of $1,500–$2,000.
A city‑sponsored pilot to test concrete fire pits at Poplar Beach drew more community users than organizers expected and generated recommendations for a permanent, managed program, the presenter told the City Council on May 6.
The pilot found broad daytime and evening use by families, teens and other beachgoers, fewer reports of fire incidents or complaints, less scattered trash, and a measurable reduction in illegal bonfire activity, Chloe (presenting) said. “There were no beach fire incidents reported to the city, sheriff, or fire district,” she reported.
The pilot deployed several pit designs. Chloe described three main approaches: a large 50x50 square pit formed from recycled wood (about 1,800 pounds); two circular designs formed using sonotube concrete forms (36‑inch exterior, 24‑inch interior); and an octagonal form built around a 36‑inch tube. The team found the octagon to be the most practical size and shape for typical beach use and recommended those as a baseline for a permanent program. The grates and ember screens used on the pilot performed well and improved safety and cooking versatility; rigid lids proved unwieldy and created trip hazards when removed.
Operational recommendations included: a season from April 1 to Oct. 31 with daily access for daytime use and evening hours (the pilot suggested a 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. window for some managed access nights); spacing pits at least 25 feet apart; providing water buckets and wind screens; closing pits on Spare‑the‑Air days; and using a mix of reservation and first‑come, first‑served availability. The presenter said Abundant Grace volunteers had offered to assist with cleanup and maintenance.
The presenter provided preliminary cost estimates: roughly $1,500–$2,000 per pit to build and install, and an estimated $7,000–$10,000 in annual maintenance and cleanup costs (signage, buckets and small tools were estimated at under $500). The presenter suggested the city could explore community fundraising, local business sponsorships or a modest reservation fee to offset operations.
Council members praised the pilot and the operational detail in the report. No formal council action was taken; council members asked staff to assess next steps, including gathering vendor quotes and confirming maintenance plans and liability considerations.
