Belleville Council has given the green light to a seasonal food truck and recreational vendor program that will take the place of the pop-ups at Zwicks while providing service at two other parks in the city.
At Monday’s regular meeting, Council approved an amended policy, which would apply to West Zwick’s Park, MaryAnne Sills Park, and Thurlow Park.
Following the meeting, Councillor Paul Carr made the following post on Facebook.
I requested a staff report at the March 9 Council meeting to look at a food and recreation vendor program, which was approved during tonight’s Council meeting, with an amendment to include recreation vendors (for example kayaks or bike rentals) – https://citybellevilleon.civicweb.net/…/Food%20Trucks…
This is an opportunity for greater organic activation throughout our parks, open spaces and waterfront without tax subsidization. This will create opportunities for entrepreneurs, mobile businesses as well as experiences for both residents and tourists.
The motion on Monday gained additional attention after it was revealed earlier this month that the Pop-ups by the Bay program was being discontinued.
The original motion included the following text – That Council approve the implementation of a seasonal Food Truck Permit Program for the
2026 operating season at West Zwick’s Park, MaryAnne Sills Park, and Thurlow Park; that
food truck permits for the 2026 season be procured through a Request for Proposals (RFP)
process requiring licensed mobile food vendors to submit competitive proposals, including
proposed monthly permit fees; that permits be awarded on a non-exclusive basis, with multiple
vendors eligible to be approved at a single location provided offerings are varied and
non-competing; that staff be authorized to establish permit terms, operating conditions, site
locations, evaluation criteria, and applicable fees to achieve full cost recovery, including waste
management and park maintenance considerations, with no additional staffing or financial
impact to the City; that staff be further authorized to undertake any required administrative
actions necessary to support implementation of the program; and that staff report back to
Council following the conclusion of the 2026 operating season with a program review and
recommendations for future years.
2026 operating season at West Zwick’s Park, MaryAnne Sills Park, and Thurlow Park; that
food truck permits for the 2026 season be procured through a Request for Proposals (RFP)
process requiring licensed mobile food vendors to submit competitive proposals, including
proposed monthly permit fees; that permits be awarded on a non-exclusive basis, with multiple
vendors eligible to be approved at a single location provided offerings are varied and
non-competing; that staff be authorized to establish permit terms, operating conditions, site
locations, evaluation criteria, and applicable fees to achieve full cost recovery, including waste
management and park maintenance considerations, with no additional staffing or financial
impact to the City; that staff be further authorized to undertake any required administrative
actions necessary to support implementation of the program; and that staff report back to
Council following the conclusion of the 2026 operating season with a program review and
recommendations for future years.
