Item - 2026.EC27.7

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council approve the park mobile vending program as described in Section 2 of the report (April 2, 2026) from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation and direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to implement the program, based on the park selection criteria in Section 2.2 and in consultation with the Ward Councillor. 

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks and Recreation in consultation with the Ward Councillor, to execute licence agreements for food concessions with interested community-based non-profit groups for a term of up to five years, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, provided that the community based non-profit group pays the negotiated market licence fees, and provides recreation benefits in adjacent spaces as outlined in Section 3.2 of the report (April 2, 2026) from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation , as determined by the General Manager, Parks and Recreation. 

3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Parks and Recreation to execute licence agreements with concession operators selected through a concession program application process to be established by the General Manager, Parks and Recreation as outlined in Section 3.3 of the report (April 2, 2026) from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation for an initial term of three to five years, including an option to renew for up to five additional years at the discretion of the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, all on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Parks and Recreation and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to report back to City Council in 2027 with an update on the park mobile vending program and the four-year food and beverage strategy as described in Section 4 of the report (April 2, 2026) from the General Manager, Parks and Recreation.

5. City Council direct the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, in the selection of suitable park locations to understand local context, to consult with local Business Improvement Areas and park user groups where applicable.

6. City Council request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, as part of the report back to City Council in 2027, to seek feedback from Business Improvement Areas and park user groups as part of the evaluation of the park mobile vending program’s performance, including consideration of impacts on the local economy.

7. City Council request the General Manager, Parks and Recreation, to consider approaches that specifically attract new vendors that reflect diverse, local and low-cost options to become licensed with the City in connection with the 2026 Park Mobile Vending Program, and to monitor the Program for learnings to be applies in connection with the 2027 Roadmap to the Food and Beverages Strategy.

In response to City Council direction (2025.MM29.8), this report outlines near-term actions to increase food and beverage options in parks, where appropriate, including an assessment of existing physical structures and operating models. The report also establishes a clear pathway toward a comprehensive four-year food and beverage strategy to be brought forward for Council consideration in 2027.

Toronto’s parks are among the City’s most valued public spaces, but food and beverage services remain limited, inconsistent, and developed on a site-by-site basis. A more coordinated, city-wide approach is needed to improve access, modernize infrastructure, and reduce barriers for small businesses and community organizations. To that end, this report:

- Describes the current state of mobile vending, concessions, and restaurant services in parks, including key benefits and challenges;

- Recommends launching a City-coordinated mobile vending program with a phased rollout across selected parks starting June 25, 2026, supported by clear rules, consistent oversight, and engagement with local Councillors and communities;

- Recommends a simplified concession application process, improving access for non-profits and small operators, while maintaining competitive processes at high-demand sites; and

- Establishes four guiding principles and a roadmap for the development of a four-year food and beverage strategy to be presented to Council in 2027 to guide long-term decisions on investment, infrastructure, operating models, and service standards.

Implementation of the proposed actions will include targeted engagement with Ward Councillors, Business Improvement Areas, community stakeholders, and prospective operators, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation to assess program performance and inform future refinements. This report was prepared in consultation with Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS), Toronto Public Health (TPH), Solid Waste Management Services (SWMS), Purchasing and Materials Management Division (PMMD), and other internal City Divisions, as appropriate.

This report responds to City Council’s direction in item 2025.MM29.8 to provide options for expanding food and beverage services in parks, where appropriate, including an assessment of existing physical structures and operating models.

It outlines improvements for the 2026 season and sets out four key principles that will guide development of a comprehensive four‑year food and beverage strategy for Toronto’s parks and recreation system, to be brought forward for Council consideration in 2027.

This report approach will be organized into four sections:

-  Review of Current Food and Beverage Offerings: An overview of existing services, including mobile vending, concessions, and restaurants, along with an assessment of their benefits and challenges.

-  Immediate Options to Increase Food and Beverage Availability: Actions that can be implemented quickly to improve access and respond to public demand, while leveraging existing assets and partnerships.

-  A Simplified Concession Program Application Process: A new process to make it easier for community‑based non‑profits and small operators to access concession spaces.

-  Introduction of Four Guiding Principles for the 2027 Food and Beverage Strategy: A set of principles and a public engagement plan that will shape long‑term planning and inform future decisions related to investment, operating models, and infrastructure across the parks and recreation system.