I. KEY INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS
A. OVERVIEW OF THE GREENWAY AND CONSERVANCY
The Rose Kennedy Greenway (www.rosekennedygreenway.org) is one of Boston's most distinctive public green spaces—a 1.5-mile ribbon of parks that transformed land once defined by the elevated Central Artery into a gathering place where nature, culture, and community intersect. Stretching from Chinatown to the historic North and West Ends and reconnecting Downtown Boston to its waterfront, The Greenway has become a beloved backyard for surrounding neighborhoods and a world-class destination for millions of residents and visitors each year.
Our mission
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a public green space in the heart of Boston where people connect with each other, with nature, and with the life of the city. We curate spaces and moments for our audiences by:
- Caring for spaces that promote enjoyment, wellness, and resiliency
- Creating transformative, shared experiences
- Catalyzing Boston's economic vibrancy
Our vision
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a vibrant corridor where the city connects, fostering joy, exploration, and inclusive opportunity.
The Conservancy creates a welcoming, engaging, and restorative environment for the entire community by providing beautiful, and organically maintained, lawns and gardens all year long. Visitors to the park can also explore a variety of family-friendly attractions and play spaces, including The Greenway's six fountains and the one-of-a-kind Greenway Carousel at The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Grove. A visit to The Greenway allows guests to participate in free, community-driven events and programs hosted in the park, which is also home to a rotating selection of temporary exhibitions of contemporary public art, featuring murals, sculptures, and other installations. Through the dedicated service of The Greenway's Park Rangers, the Conservancy is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all who enjoy the park. The Greenway has been awarded the Boston Society of Architects/AIA prestigious Commonwealth Award for place-making for the "outstanding work on the dynamic transformation of a portion of downtown" and Boston Globe columnist, Yvonne Abraham, lauded, “The Greenway [has] become a destination unto itself; a serene respite from bustling streets, a place of immense beauty, a platform for adventurous public art.”
The majority of the Conservancy’s annual budget is made up of generous donations from the community, and it is with their support that the Conservancy cultivates a gathering space where all are welcome and celebrated.
B. OVERVIEW OF FOOD VENDING ON THE GREENWAY
The Conservancy’s Food Vending Program is in its seventeenth season and features talented local chefs and small business owners with the goal to provide a great public amenity. The Conservancy’s food truck vendors are among Boston’s very best, and are real partners with the Conservancy. Greenway vendors are often acknowledged with awards and accolades, including Boston Magazine’s Best Food Truck of 2022.
The Conservancy accepted 22 trucks and carts for the 2026 season. Like many businesses and organizations the Greenway Food Vending Program continues to be impacted by the change in downtown foot traffic since the pandemic, though is encouraged by the growth in our program each season since 2020.
The Conservancy is seeking a diverse set of proposals from food/beverage vendors for both regular operations and special appearances such as vending at the Greenway Artisan Market, beverage gardens, and one-off event opportunities for the 2027 season. Vendors will be selected for a combination of ability to deliver the indicated service and experience, compelling concept, fit of operations, and financial offer.
C. VENDING LOCATIONS AND TERM
The Conservancy seeks food/beverage vendors for the following locations on The Greenway and may consider proposals for other locations if interest is indicated. A map of The Greenway can be found here. Minimum vending hours have been established for select locations to ensure consistency and success, particularly in areas that cater to the lunchtime crowd and at our beverage gardens. For locations without assigned minimum hours, vendors have the flexibility to determine their own regular schedule. Vendors are also welcome to propose operating hours outside of our minimum vending hours, such as during breakfast.
The Conservancy especially encourages self-propelled and self-contained vehicles, such as trucks, trikes, and bike carts due to their easy load-in/-out.
The Food Vending Program’s current fee structure consists of a flat shift fee PLUS a percentage of gross revenue. Respondents must propose both a flat shift fee and a percentage of their gross revenue when bidding on a location. The minimum bid must be at least $25 per shift plus 8% of revenue for each location they are interested in operating at. Total vending fees will be capped at $250 per shift across all locations in the park.
The flat shift fee will be charged regardless of whether or not vendors are present during their shift, and the revenue share will be calculated based on sales in the park.
The Conservancy and our customers value consistent vendors, which can help improve customer retention. If vendors are absent for more than 50% of their scheduled shifts within a set month, an absence fee of $100 will be applied. Should extenuating circumstances arise that impact your ability to vend on The Greenway, please communicate with the Conservancy team in a timely manner to discuss operational and fee options. Absences from Greenway vending totaling 2 months or more are grounds for immediate contract termination.
The following locations are available for the 2027 season:
Dewey Square Park Plaza, across from South Station on the corner of Atlantic Ave and Summer St – multi-truck cluster location (up to 6 trucks)
The park and plaza receive a huge number of lunchtime visitors from the Financial District and 100,000+ daily commuters from South Station. Dewey Square’s food truck cluster, the first to ever be permitted in the City of Boston, is complemented by plaza seating, a lush lawn, and rotating public art. Currently, the mural on The Greenway wall is The Midnight Ride by Rixy.
- Minimum Lunch Vending Hours: 11:30am-2pm
- Minimum Vending Season — April 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027, with an extension option to continue through March 31, 2028
Rowes Wharf Plaza, on the corner of Atlantic Ave and High St – multi-truck cluster location (up to 2 trucks)
This plaza is a popular lunch destination during the week, attracting patrons from the nearby Financial District and waterfront. Located on the northside of High Street, across from the 2 International Place tower and the Boston Harbor Hotel, this large plaza also offers benches and tables for seating.
- Minimum Lunch Vending Hours: 11:30am-2pm
- Minimum Vending Season — April 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027, with an extension option to continue through March 31, 2028
On State Street, across from the Aquarium T Stop – two-truck cluster location
This location is available for vendors interested in breakfast, lunch, or niche offerings looking to vend on The Greenway. This area is north of Rings Fountain and near the Aquarium T Stop, Long Wharf Ferry Terminal and State Street. On weekends, State Street is in the center of the Greenway Artisan Market, which draws large crowds of locals and tourists alike, connecting the New England Aquarium and Faneuil Hall. During the weekdays, this area sees foot traffic from local workers and commuters. Vending will be along the sidewalk on the south side of State Street.
- Minimum Vending Season — May 1, 2027 to October 31, 2027
Next to the Greenway Carousel, across from Faneuil Hall and Christopher Columbus Park – two-truck cluster location
The Greenway Carousel at the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Grove opened in 2013. The Carousel operates Wednesdays-Sundays from April through May, daily from June through September, and Fridays-Sundays from October through January 2 and sees over 100,000 visitors annually. The Carousel sits adjacent to the Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion and there is a large amount of foot traffic from tourists traveling from Faneuil Hall towards the waterfront and commuters coming in from Long Wharf Ferry Terminal.
- Minimum Vending Season — May 1, 2027 to October 31, 2027
North End Park – On Cross Street, across from the North Canal Fountain and along the Freedom Trail on the corner of Cross St and Salem St – one food cart location
This location is available for vendors interested in breakfast, lunch, or niche offerings tailored to residents and workers in the North End and West End neighborhoods and tourists traveling along the Freedom Trail. This park offers tables and chairs, a grassy area with ample seating, and popular fountains. Foot traffic is heaviest when the fountain is on and during peak tourist season in a standard year, generally Memorial Day through Labor Day. Vending is possible for push carts or trikes only.
- Minimum Vending Season — May 1, 2027 to October 31, 2027