Food Truck Vendors in Parksville Community Park

May 23, 2024

On April 30, 2024, the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce submitted a request to amend the licence of occupation agreement to permit an additional daily food truck to be located in the new gathering plaza in the Parksville Community Park for the summer season. Council released its decision on this request at the meeting held on Wednesday, May 22 which is to maintain the current terms and conditions of the agreement.

Parksville Council has worked with the Parksville Chamber for the past eight years to provide food truck service from an existing pad located near the splash park which allows up to three trucks to operate from the pad daily, from May to September. The actual number of food trucks depends on their size and is coordinated by the Parksville Chamber as the licence holder.

The newly opened gathering plaza is not intended to be a commercialized space; however, food trucks may be permitted in this area when a special event is taking place. The gathering plaza is equipped with electric and water connections to facilitate trucks in the area without the need for generators.

The City has invested significant time and money to create an aesthetically pleasing, peaceful space for all to enjoy. This summer, Council wishes to see how people will organically use this area, gathering to spend time with friends, bring a picnic meal or snacks to share, or simply relax while enjoying ocean views. Council has received feedback from community members that adding another daily food truck in this location may make people feel less comfortable bringing their own snacks or occupying the seating, which may be perceived as being reserved for ‘paying customers’ of the food truck.

Many year-round businesses in the downtown core offer dine in food services and some offer pre-packaged picnic meals to go. Adding more food trucks in the Parksville Community Park may have negative impacts on our restaurants, cafes and food retailers, and Council did not feel there was sufficient time to engage with the community to discuss the potential implications of changing the licence terms.

In the fall, City staff will publish a survey which will provide an opportunity for the community to share how they enjoyed the new gathering plaza this summer and offer their suggestions for future consideration by Council.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@pakrsville.ca; 250 954-3073