New public amenities slated for the coming years at Sloan’s Lake and in downtown’s Skyline Park will share a feature Denver officials say residents want more of at city parks: concession stands.
Once renovations are completed, both parks will have buildings devoted to selling packaged food and drinks — including, potentially, beer and wine — along with spaces dedicated to food trucks, according to a released last month by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The department has outlined some of the concession criteria and is asking interested vendors to send in their preliminary business plans by Monday, June 22.
“Sometimes people just want a little something extra to eat or drink while they’re hanging out at the park,” said Stephanie Figueroa, the marketing and communications director for Parks and Recreation. “It’s been some time coming, but I think we’re ready to be able to provide that.”
The city is looking to enter into five-year contracts with one concessionaire per park, who would guarantee payment and a percentage of sales revenue to the city. The chosen vendors would also manage or subcontract with food trucks on the properties. The parks department will issue an official call for proposals this summer.
Construction timelines anticipate the concessions pavilion at Skyline Park opening by the summer of next year and the one at the Sloan’s Lake boathouse launching by the spring of 2028.
In the past, the city has mainly granted temporary permits to hot dog carts and ice cream trucks, Figueroa said.
The criteria require vendors to operate 7 days per week throughout the year, and stipulate that they have their own equipment and that they clean the common areas and restrooms.
It also calls for interested vendors to offer something “uniquely Denver” and that “reflect Denver’s unique characteristics.” They’re even encouraged to share ideas for cultural programming.
“We’re always looking to work with people… that actually represent Denver,” Figueroa said. “It’s just a way of us kind of leaving it up to interpretation.”
One limitation is that the spaces won’t include full-service kitchens, so the parks department’s proposal is geared toward “beverage-focused” concessions that can sell food prepared and packaged in advance.
The Skyline Park pavilion is part of a $30 million project now under construction. It’ll have about 200 seats dispersed at a bar and patio near the city’s ice-skating rink, according to the request for information. The parks department is responsible for $19.5 million of the project costs.
The renovation of the boathouse at Sloan’s Lake, financed through a $7 million municipal bond, will include an event venue open for rent. It would be managed by the boathouse vendor along with the city.
