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.
| Date/Time | Action |
| Wednesday, December 17, 2025 | Request for Proposal released |
| Monday, December 29, 2025 9-10:30am
Wednesday, January 7, 2026 12-1:30pm |
Walk through at the facility for interested parties |
| Friday, January 16, 2026 at 5pm | Proposal Due Date |
| Late January-early February 2026 | Proposal Presentations to Selection Committee |
| February 2026 | Loppet Foundation decision on recommended proposal |
| February 2026 | Contract Negotiations |
| Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | Recommendations Presented at MPRB
Administration & Finance Committee |
| Wednesday, March 18, 2026 | Final Board Action MPRB Full Board |
| April, 2026 | Contract Executed |
| May 1, 2026 | Facility Available for new tenant |
Questions?
If you have questions regarding The Trailhead Concessions Operator RFP process, please email Meghan Cosgrove at cosgrove@loppet.org.