Item - 2026.EC27.7

The General Manager, Parks and Recreation recommends that:

1. City Council approve the park mobile vending program as described in Section 2 of this report 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 this report, 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 this report 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 this report.

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.

Parks and Recreation (PR) currently administers a range of food and beverage services across the parks and recreation system, including mobile vending, concessions, and full-service restaurant operations in select locations. Existing operators work under licence or lease agreements and contribute to the City through a combination of fixed rent, base licence fees, and revenue-sharing arrangements, depending on the operating model and location. Over the last three years, historical revenue from food and beverage agreements has ranged from $1.1 million to $1.2 million annually.

Table 1.1: Historical Food and Beverage Revenue by Category

The recommendations in this report are expected to have no material net operating budget impact in the short term. The proposed new staged City-Coordinated Park Mobile Vending Program is anticipated to generate modest revenue in the first year based on the projected level of vendor participants. Incremental revenues generated through mobile vending permits and concession licences will be used to offset program administration, marketing, and oversight costs.

Table 1.2: Projected Vendor Participation and Revenue Projections

Any future operating or capital impacts associated with expanded food and beverage services will be brought forward for Council consideration through the four-year food and beverage strategy and the City’s annual budget process.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the information as presented in the Financial Impact Section.

The General Manager, Parks and Recreation recommend that:

1. Economic and Community Development Committee receive this report for information.

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.

Further information on financial impacts will be outlined in the forthcoming supplementary report.

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the information as presented in the Financial Impact section.