Food Truck Permits

The Somerset County Park Commission is offering permits to food truck vendors for the sole purpose of selling food and non-alcoholic beverages at locations in Colonial Park, Duke Island Park, Green Knoll Golf Course, Quail Brook Golf Course, Spooky Brook Golf Course, Warrenbrook Golf Course and specific special events such as the summer concerts at Duke Island Park, the Fourth of July Celebration at North Branch Park, along with any other events that the Park Commission may conduct at any Park Commission facility.  

In order to obtain a permit, the vendor must complete the application, provide a copy of their Tax ID, a certificate of insurance in the amount of two million dollars in liability, including workers compensation and employers’ liability, that names the Somerset County Park Commission and the County of Somerset as additionally insured. All sole proprietorships operating in New Jersey must maintain workers’ compensation insurance or be approved for self-insurance so long as any one or more individuals, excluding the principal owner, performs services for the business for prior, current or anticipated financial consideration.

A sample certificate of insurance (COI) is attached to the application. Additionally, a Hold Harmless Agreement must be signed and returned with application along with photos of your vehicle/unit.

The Vendor is responsible for obtaining and keeping all permits necessary to run a food service operation to include but not be limited to annual or semi-annual food truck permits, health department permits, fire certificates, vehicle licenses as required by any and all governing authorities and all other applicable forms to operate within the municipality of the park/golf course they are applying to operate within.

Reserving Location Date/Space & Policies

Upon completion of approval of application, the Somerset County Park Commission will establish a vendor profile to access the Park Commission’s online registration site.

Approved vendors will be able to reserve available dates and locations to vend. The current spaces are as follows:

  
Howe Athletic Complex
(Colonial Park) 
Colonial Park Spray Park &
Mini-Golf
Colonial Park Lot B  Duke Island Park Lot B
Green Knoll Golf Course Quail Brook Golf Course
Spooky Brook Golf CourseWarrenbrook Golf Course

Dates are available on a first come first-serve basis. The Park Commission reserves the right to adjust hours of operation based upon permitted events occurring within a facility. Please note that permitted private events may have a food truck on location that is solely specific for their function and will be located in a space that are not any of the identified locations.  A fee is associated with each registration:

Weekdays (Mon-Fri) - $30 per date

Weekends & Holidays - $50 per date

Permitted Hours of Operation by Location:

Colonial Park (Howe Athletic, Spray Park & Lot B): 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Duke Island Park Lot B: 12:00pm to 6:00pm

Golf Courses: 8:00am to 5:00pm – Weekdays, 7:00am to 5:00pm - Weekends

Special Events Information and Descriptions

Vendors must be on location, one hour prior to the starting time of the event or other mutually agreed upon arrival time, at the designated park location. Each Special Event is limited to a certain number of food truck vendors. In order to ensure a diverse selection of offerings, vendors interested in participating in one of the Park Commission’s Special Events should contact the Recreation Manager at 908-722-1200 ext 5226 for assistance unless otherwise noted.

Rose Festival – Set in the beautiful Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden at Colonial Park, this annual festival takes place on Saturday, June 10th from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Families are invited to listen to live music, participate in our rose sale and check out craft vendors. Please contact the Horticulture Department at 908-722-1200 ext 5622 for assistance.

Fourth of July Celebration – This annual celebration at North Branch Park takes place from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. A free and open to all event with upwards of 6,000 attendees, features music, food, re-enactments and our popular Fourth of July Firework display.

Summer Concert Series – Beginning on July 9th and continuing for five consecutive Sunday evenings, Duke Island Park hosts a variety of musical acts that invite all ages to bring a lawn chair and enjoy an evening of music. Attendance for events ranges from 500-1000 people each night.

The Following Guidelines are Applicable to all Food Truck Vendor Permits

Approved vendors may only park in the designated area (map to be provided) that has been established by the Park Commission. Vendors are subject to providing proof of permit to Park Rangers when requested. No alcohol or music is allowed. Food truck vendors must keep the space and adjacent area clean and orderly. Vendors shall not leave any waste products (e.g., paper products, cooking oil, discarded food products, etc.) from their operations at Park Commission waste receptacles or at Park Commission facilities.  A violation of these prohibitions or other Park Commission rules and regulations may lead to the revocation of permitting privileges.