PROPERTY VALUES

St. Lucie County considers allowing food trucks in local parks

Keona Gardner
Treasure Coast Newspapers
People looking for good food and fun attend the Food Truck Invasion at Tradition Square in Port St. Lucie in 2015.

ST. LUCIE COUNTY — Tacos, barbecue, cannolis and more could be coming to a county park near you.

County officials are considering allowing food trucks to operate in six parks as part of a pilot program that would bring tasty street food to visitors and funding to the parks department.

Food trucks would be allowed to operate in the parking lots of Waveland Beach, Pepper Park Beach Park, Ravenswood Pool, Lincoln Park Pool, Lakewood Park Pool and Museum Point Park, according to a document outlining the proposed pilot program.

Food truck vendors would have to pay a $50 application fee and an annual fee of $200 per site, according to county records.

The issue was placed on the County Commission agenda on Tuesday. However, commissioners removed the item saying they wanted to discuss the issue in an informal meeting.

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The money generated from the application fees and permits would go to the parks department to pay for costs related to managing the county’s parks.

Elsewhere on the Treasure Coast, food truck programs have had mixed success.

A Port St. Lucie food truck pilot program last year shut down after just a couple weeks. Local officials cited poor planning, inadequate promotion and a bad location.

On the other hand, the fleet of trucks that Food Truck Invasion, a private company, periodically brings to Fort Pierce, Tradition and Stuart has proven wildly popular and attracted thousands of customers.

St. Lucie County Commission Chairman Chris Dzadovsky said he is undecided about the program and would need more information on trash pickup and the effect on brick-and-mortar stores.

“If these trucks come and go, will the owners be responsible for picking up the trash left by their customers, or will the county parks crews have to pick up the trash?" Dzadovsky asked. “If the county parks crews have to pick up the trash then it would increase the work-load for county employees and cost the taxpayers more money to fund this program."  

Food trucks would be required to have insurance and business and food handler's licenses, according to program documents. No alcohol would be allowed.

Proposed rules

  • No alcohol
  • Vendor must park and set up in approved location and move if asked by county officials
  • Must provide and empty trash receptacles
  • Must keep area neat
  • Must display all necessary licenses and permits
  • Vending privileges may be revoked if vendor does not adhere to rules
  • No use of utilities
  • May only operate during posted park hours, sunrise to sunset if not posted
  • Must remove food truckwithin one hour after closing.