Food trucks could soon be allowed to park and sell at The Boardwalk in Johns Creek even when nothing is scheduled there, under a 12-month pilot program the City Council is set to take up on Monday. Right now, food trucks and pushcarts can only sell food and refreshments at city-owned parks during city-sponsored or city-permitted events, a restriction the new proposal would suspend specifically for The Boardwalk.
The council's work session begins at 5 p.m. Monday, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m., according to Appen Media. If approved, the pilot would mark the first time Johns Creek has allowed food vendors to operate independently in its parks, rather than only as part of a scheduled gathering. The proposal still comes with guardrails: it would limit operating hours and locations, require vendors to carry insurance and secure permitting, and prohibit alcohol sales outright.
Why City Staff Want The Test Run
City staff say the pilot would give Johns Creek a chance to gauge how vendors affect park vibrancy and foot traffic, per the same account from Appen Media. The Boardwalk has already become a draw for visitors even without an event on the calendar, thanks to the walking paths, open turf and water features built into the site.
That everyday foot traffic is central to the pitch. The Boardwalk was designed from the outset to pull in walkers, joggers and families between its scheduled events, not just host crowds during concerts or festivals, the report notes.
Inside The $39 Million Boardwalk Project
The Boardwalk opened in May as the centerpiece of Johns Creek's $39 million Town Center vision, a project that folds in an outdoor amphitheater, pond overlooks, pedestrian plazas, wetlands trails and terraced seating. The park's event space can hold roughly 4,000 people, and the grounds include 20 acres of green space along with trails, lakeside pavilions and gathering areas.
The Boardwalk sits at the heart of Johns Creek's 192-acre, walkable Town Center district, which also includes the Medley mixed-use center, currently under construction and slated to open by the end of October. The park's design also leans on green infrastructure, including detention ponds, wetlands and bioretention areas planted to filter pollutants while doubling as wildlife habitat.
How Other Cities Have Handled Food Trucks In Parks
Johns Creek wouldn't be the first city to loosen restrictions on where food trucks can operate. Atlanta has been working to designate new food-truck locations in the public right-of-way, allowing organizations to request that an existing on-street parking spot be set aside for food-truck service during certain times and days, according to the City of Atlanta.
Other cities have taken similar steps in recent years, though the details vary. A 2024 report from The Register-Guard said Eugene, Oregon, was opening up more park space to food trucks and other vendors after years of tighter rules, while FOX31 Denver reported that year on a Denver pilot called Feast in Denver's Nature, which had a handful of city parks hosting food trucks throughout the week.
Johns Creek's own municipal code defines ordinances as laws the City Council enacts to run city affairs, covering everything from zoning and building rules to alcohol regulations, taxes and budgets, according to the City of Johns Creek. Any changes to the food-vendor rules at The Boardwalk would fall under that same framework if the council moves forward Monday.
