Portland Parks & Recreation Welcomes Mobile Vendors

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is opening new doors for local entrepreneurs to bring their food, crafts, and services directly to the people—right in Portland’s beloved city parks.

With a new, simple and affordable same-day permit system, self-contained mobile vendors can now operate in designated parking areas at select parks across the city. Whether it’s food carts, craft vendors, or mobile services, this streamlined program is designed to support small businesses while energizing public spaces.

“This initiative removes financial and administrative barriers for small, mobile vendors to operate within parks,” said Priya Dhanapal, Deputy City Administrator for Public Works. “It’s about creating opportunities on Parks property, bringing vibrancy to Portland’s public green spaces, and supporting local enterprise year-round in a way that benefits everyone.”

Vendors who meet the requirements can use an easy online payment system to secure a daily permit and begin vending that same day—no long waits, no complicated paperwork. It’s a do-it-yourself, business-friendly model designed with small businesses in mind.

“We’re excited to reduce costs and make it easier than ever to bring energy and innovation into Portland’s parks,” said Sonia Schmanski, Interim Director of Portland Parks & Recreation. “This new permitting option gives vendors the flexibility they need to thrive while helping us activate parks in fresh, community-driven ways.”

Qualified vendors can learn more and apply at portland.gov/parks/mobilevending. To participate, vendors must operate a fully self-contained, licensed food truck or trailer, hold all required licenses and insurance, use only designated parking spaces, manage their own trash removal, and comply with all county and state health and business regulations.

Parking spaces are first-come, first-served, but can be reserved in advance through a separate special use permit.

Vendors must follow all park rules under City Code, Title 20.

Vending is allowed in the parking areas of several Portland parks, with daily rates varying by location. Most parks, including Cathedral Park, Chimney Park, Clinton Park, Columbia Children’s Arboretum, Creston Park, Duniway Park, East Holladay Park, Ed Benedict Park, Forest Park, Foster Floodplain, Fulton Park, Gabriel Park (excluding the community center lot), Glenhaven Park, Harney Park, Kelley Point Park, Knott Park, Lents Park, Luuwit View Park, Marquam Nature Park, Mt. Tabor Park, Northgate Park, Oaks Bottom, Parklane Park, Pier Park, Portland Heights Park, Powell Butte, Sellwood Park, Sellwood Riverfront Park, Springwater Corridor, SW Terwilliger Blvd Parkway, Thomas Cully Park, Ventura Park, Westmoreland Park, and Whitaker Ponds Natural Area, have a $5 daily vending rate. Higher rates apply at certain locations, including $10 per day at Multnomah Arts Center (Lot C only) and Willamette Park, $12 per day at Waterfront Park Morrison Bridge Lot, $13 per day at Waterfront Park Hawthorne Bridge Lot, and $40 per day at Pittock Acres Park.