The Jefferson Review

Arnold Leaders Consider Food Truck Park Concept Near the Meramec River

Inspired by popular venues around the region, Arnold officials are exploring whether a food truck park could create a new gathering place for residents while boosting activity near the riverfront.

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By The Jefferson Review Team

Arnold city leaders are considering the possibility of creating a permanent food truck park near the Meramec River, a concept supporters say could bring new life and activity to an underused area of the city.

During a recent work session, Councilwoman Peggy Allen presented the idea of developing a food truck park on city owned property near the football field across from the farmers market.

Allen said the idea began after visiting a food truck park in Florida while visiting family last December. The experience, she said, sparked a conversation about whether Arnold could create a similar destination.

To help illustrate the concept, Allen presented examples of successful food truck parks in the region, including Nine Mile Garden in Affton and Frankie Martin’s Garden in Cottleville. Both locations feature rotating food trucks, open seating areas, live music stages, and gathering spaces designed to encourage people to spend time outdoors.

“These trucks aren’t permanent,” Allen explained while describing the layouts. “But the space for them is.”

Many of the venues also host live music and community events, with amenities such as lawn seating, fire pits, covered gathering areas, and even pickleball courts. Some locations also include indoor bars or restaurants that complement the outdoor activity.

Allen said Arnold’s potential location could offer even more room to work with.

Officials acknowledged that several practical questions would need to be addressed, including how the site’s floodplain designation could affect development and whether traffic access could handle larger crowds.

“There’s traffic in and out of there,” Allen said. “It could be a challenge, but almost anything you put there would create traffic.”

Some council members also raised concerns about how a food truck park might impact Arnold’s existing restaurants and bars.

Others noted that food truck parks often operate as event style destinations rather than direct competitors to traditional restaurants.

No decisions were made during the work session, but Allen said she would like to explore including funding in a future city budget for a feasibility study.

In addition to the food truck discussion, the council briefly reviewed upcoming stormwater permit renewal requirements, discussed recent court developments involving gaming machines in local businesses, and considered potential updates to the city’s purchasing thresholds.