Youth groups will now be permitted to camp in Pittsburgh’s parks.

Pittsburgh City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to allow youth organizations to obtain permits to camp in city parks.

“I am going to continue to say that I hope we become independent of using organizations to use our parks,” Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said ahead of the vote.

She last week voiced similar concerns, questioning why families or individuals couldn’t also apply for camping permits. Kathryn Vargas, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, said such expansions would be considered.

Several details are still being ironed out, Vargas told council. The legislation directs the Department of Parks and Recreation to come up with regulations and guidelines, which may include details about when and where campfires may be permitted, permitting fees and enforcement details.

Several council members said they supported the idea of making camping more accessible ahead of a preliminary vote last week.

Councilman Anthony Coghill suggested waiving permitting fees for low-income campers, an idea Vargas said she supported.

Prior rules that prohibited people from staying in parks after hours and banned visitors from constructing temporary shelters had essentially made camping in Pittsburgh parks illegal.

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