Supervisor Gross on Food Trucks in Annandale: Let's See What Happens

A new initiative from the Fairfax County Park Authority could allow food trucks to serve food to residents in county parks under a new licensing program.

Plans for the program were reported last week and interested vendors have until Friday to submit applications to the county for the pilot program.

The Park Authority has not announced when the food trucks will roll out, but they have selected a total of nine parks where the vendors will be allowed to operate. Two of those parks are in Annandale: Mason District Park and Wakefield Park.

While Annandale residents are divided on whether the food trucks would be a welcome addition to the community, Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross says she’s taking a wait-and-see approach before making a judgment.

“I support the Park Authority’s jurisdiction to set regulations for activities on the properties they own or administer. The proposed licensing process is new and, as with any new process, I will be interested in seeing how the outcomes might be evaluated after a few months of serving the public,” said Gross to Patch.

Park officials are “confident that vendors in the parks will add positively to a visitor’s experience, while also providing economic benefits to the community and the park system,” according to a news release.

Gross explained that in the past, many of the parks used to operate concessions stands, but “vendors could not afford to maintain the ‘bricks and mortar’ concept” and the stands eventually closed.

“In subsequent years, there were many complaints about unauthorized food trucks setting up on the weekends in some of our parks, and enforcement was very difficult. With the rise in popularity of food trucks in the region, there is renewed interest in providing food service at our parks,” said Gross. “The Fairfax County Park Authority, which has the authority to develop requirements and procedures for their licensing process independently from other agencies, including the Board of Supervisors, has specific requirements governing noise levels and daily cleanup of trash for food trucks operating in certain parks.  Certain standards must be met and appropriate permits obtained. The Park Authority's licensing process provides for additional control and enforcement, which did not exist previously. “

It is currently unclear how frequently the trucks would be allowed in the parks. Park Authority officials said only “food truck operators who offer the most frequent and consistent service and hours will be given priority” during the application process.

Tell us, Annandale: Would you support food trucks in the local parks?