Commission amends park rules, asks staff to develop signage and special-event permit to manage food trucks

The Mobile County Commission approved an amendment to the county park-system contract to add development of park signage and approved changes to park rules including updated field deposit rates for West Mobile County Park.

Commissioners asked how the county enforces unauthorized food vendors in county parks. A commissioner recounted a prior incident at Lehigh Mobile County Park in which an unauthorized food truck remained after park staff and event staff asked it to leave. Park staff said the protocol is for park staff to approach the vendor first; if the vendor does not leave, park deputies can be contacted to assist. Staff also said the county is working on a special-events permit that would allow food trucks for permitted events, and staff expects to bring the permit process to commissioners for discussion in upcoming meetings.

Under the contract amendment with HRSAK and Webster Creative, staff will develop standard park-rule signage to post at county parks and design Bayfront Park and Lewis Landing wayfinding and interpretive signs. Parks staff said signage will be developed under the amended contract and that the county will work on clarifying rules (for example, prohibiting water balloons in splash pads) as amenities such as splash pads and pavilion rentals have created gaps in existing rules.

Why it matters: the changes create a clearer enforcement pathway for unauthorized vendors and set a process for permitting food trucks at large special events, which county staff said will benefit activities at venues such as the Sportsplex and Cedar Point Pier. Commissioners asked that staff provide a clear backup enforcement process so park attendants are supported when vendors refuse to leave.

Ending: staff listed planned next steps: drafting a standard-events permit for parks, developing signage, and bringing the special-events permit back to the commission for consideration.