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Advisory group recommending food trucks for national parks disbands

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November 8, 2019

The advisory board recommending allowing food trucks, Amazon deliveries and other amenities to national parks has been disbanded, David Vela, Deputy Director, Exercising the Authority of the Director, National Park Service told Food Truck Operator in an email.

Vela said the Outdoor Recreation Advisory Committee, an advisory body to the Department of the Interior and the Secretary of the Interior, was terminated last Friday. 

The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service are reviewing the recommendations provided by the committees on Oct. 10, Vela said.

"No action has been taken on the committee's recommendations nor will any action be taken in the future unless and until the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service determine the recommendations will improve the visitor experience, protect national park resources, and are determined to be prudent investments," Vela said in a prepared statement.

With growing interest in expanding and supporting public recreational access, the NPS is working to create a second century campground experience that supports sound investment and management for campgrounds. "To this end, we are coordinating a campground modernization and rehabilitation strategy," he said. 

The NPS does not intend to modernize every campground, but seeks to make smart, consistent decisions on when to modernize or rehabilitate a campground based on the park’s unique circumstances, local market and financial factors, and applicable policies and regulations.

"As we implement this strategy, the NPS will engage the public and stakeholders for their feedback," he said.