Request for Proposals: Trailhead Café Concession Operator

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and Loppet Foundation seek a highly qualified concession operator for The Trailhead facility in Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

The Loppet Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to connect people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community. The Loppet Foundation bases its work out of The Trailhead, serves as an outdoor activity hub within the largest park in the Minneapolis park system, attracting an estimated 350,000 annual visitors. The Trailhead area includes cross country ski trails, mountain bike trails, hiking trails, par-3 and disc golf courses, learning and staging areas for mountain biking and skiing.

The building includes an approximately 3,500 sq. ft. gathering space with tables for seating, a bike and ski rental shop space, The Loppet Foundation offices, public restrooms, and outdoor patio space with tables. The Trailhead has two parking lots – a smaller 25-car lot with a Metro Transit bus turnaround area, and a larger 95-car lot. In winter (non-golf months) a larger Wirth Chalet parking lot is also available.

Request for Proposals

Services sought include sales of coffee, beer and wine, and food. Proposals might also include catering for community events, corporate gatherings, birthday parties, celebrations of life, weddings, golf outings, trail events, and beyond. The goal is to have a new operator in place in May 2026.

A Request For Proposals (RFP) is available now. Proposals are due Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5 pm. There are two walkthroughs for interested parties at The Trailhead, on December 29 and January 7. Read the “Schedule” section below for full details.

The RFP linked below has full detailed information on the opportunity, how to apply, and the evaluation and selection process:

Request for Proposals: Trailhead Café Concession Operator

Schedule

Listed below are the dates and times by which stated actions must be taken or completed.  If the Loppet Foundation determines, in its sole discretion, that it is necessary to change any of these dates and times it will issue an Addendum to this RFP.  All listed times are local Minneapolis, CST.

Questions?

If you have questions regarding The Trailhead Concessions Operator RFP process, please email Shane Stenzel at sstenzel@minneapolisparks.org or Meghan Cosgrove at cosgrove@loppet.org.

About The Loppet Foundation

The Loppet Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that connects people to the outdoors through experiences that grow community. The Loppet welcomes over 40,000 participants annually to its programs, events and spaces. This year, the Loppet will bring outdoor experiences to all ages through youth, adult and senior programming. With programs including cross country skiing, mountain biking, paddling, running, art, mindfulness and more, the Loppet is proud to offer something for everyone.

About the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Established in 1883, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) oversees a renowned urban park system spanning 7,059 acres of parkland and water. Featured among its 185 park properties are more than 200 miles of biking or walking trails, including 102 miles along the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway, 55 miles of parkways, 49 recreation centers, 13 lakes, 12 formal gardens, and seven golf courses. The Minneapolis park system hosts more than 30 million visits annually.

In 2024, the MPRB was awarded the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Administration for Class I agencies, which covers American park agencies serving 400,001 or more people. Since 2013, MPRB has been recognized among the top five urban park systems in the United States by the Trust for Public Land every single year. The MPRB is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) – one of three park agencies in Minnesota and fewer than 200 in the United States with this distinction for excellence in operations and service.