Business Opportunities

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and the Loppet Foundation are seeking a highly qualified operator for the Trailhead facility within Theodore Wirth Regional Park.

The Trailhead is an area devoted to outdoor activities like cross country skiing, mountain biking, fat tire biking, road biking, trail running, golf, disc golf, snow tubing, snowboarding, Alpine skiing, run orienteering and hiking. 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 and a full service facility that acts as the jumping off point for outdoor activities in the park.

The building includes an approximately 3,500 sq. ft. gathering space with tables for seating, a bike and ski rental shop space, offices for the Loppet Foundation, 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 the winter (non-golf) months the larger Chalet parking lot is also available.

The key concepts we would like to see outlined in a proposal to operate the Trailhead Cafe concession are:

• Providing reliable service to the public with extensive hours and minimal closings
• Maximizing income to the Loppet Foundation
• A unique venue oriented to the neighborhood and visitor demographics
• An environmentally friendly business approach
• An expandable business approach to meet the needs of large crowds
• An operator with the resources to invest in equipment and facility improvements
• A venue that respects and appreciates the unique setting and backdrop of Theodore Wirth Regional Park
• An operator with integrity and commitment to the park system and park patrons
• An operator which will provide a service that is efficient, effective, excellent and equitable to park patrons.

The proposals should clearly outline the type of venue, income estimates, payment to the Loppet Foundation, investments in equipment and facilities, business plan, terms, operating season and hours and sample menu pricing.  The operator must also include their experience in the restaurant or concession business.  A template for the proposal format is included as Attachment A – please use this format in your submission. Please submit 5 printed copies of your proposal.

Proposals Due: Friday, January 16 2026, 4:00 pm CST

Submit to:

Meghan Cosgrove
Loppet Foundation
1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy Minneapolis MN 55422
cosgrove@loppet.org

Request for Proposals – Trailhead Cafe Concession Operator [PDF]

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and the City of Minneapolis Procurement Division have posted contracting opportunities related to Bid Package #3 for the North Commons Park Improvements project.

Bidding instructions can be found on the City’s eSourcing website.

The MPRB seeks a Contractor who can sustain or improve the current service level for parking equipment maintenance, ensure proper coin/cash collection, perform accurate and complete reporting, and assist MPRB staff with field level initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring years of multi-site parking management experience, including but not limited to: general maintenance, parking meter troubleshooting and repair, accurate reporting and reconciliation, cash collections and handling, and excellent customer service. Experience with and/or documentation of training for Flowbird brand parking meter maintenance is strongly preferred.

Proposal meter pricing must be:

• Listed as flat rate, per active parking meter, per month. (The MPRB has several locations that are closed for up to 6 months (October-March)).
• Quantities in this RFP shall be assumed to be 55 multi-space parking meters. Include pricing for 55 multi-space parking meters 12 months each, e.g. 55 meters at $1 per month for 12 months as $55*$1*12=$660.
• Monthly per meter rate will be the basis for price evaluation.
• MPRB will evaluate proposals on company/Contractor experience, document submissions, supplemental materials, and price.

We request that interested vendors supply information detailed in this RFP completely. All proposals are due in no later than 8/22/25 at 4 pm CST.

Point of Contact: Dan Jacobson djacobson@minneapolisparks.org.

RFP – Parking Meter Services [PDF]

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking a highly experienced and professional Genetec Unified Elite reseller located in the Twin Cities to furnish, deliver and install the components in Appendix A: MPRB Genetec Building Security Equipment as part of an integrated security solution utilizing Genetec.

MPRB expects to implement Genetec systems and services at multiple sites over a 5‐year period as well as maintain managed services for supporting, maintaining, training and delivering security systems, camera systems, and door access systems at existing locations listed in Appendix B Existing MPRB Genetec Building Security Systems

Vendors will need to provide all components listed in Appendix A: MPRB Genetec Building Security Equipment as well as Installation and Managed Services of existing systems.

Mandatory Pre‐Proposal Conference
Thursday, December 11, 2025 @ 10:00am CST
Teams Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 235 464 236 726 90
Passcode: LE7ry3ip

We request that interested vendors supply information detailed in this RFP completely. All proposals are due in no later than Friday, December 19, 2025, by 2:00pm CST

Point of Contact: Jennifer Garrison & Andy Nordin
GenetecSecurityRFP@minneapolisparks.org

• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Genetec Building Security Systems RFP [PDF]
• Appendix A – MPRB Genetec Building Security Equipment [Excel]
• Appendix B – Existing MPRB Genetec Building Security Systems [Excel]
• Appendix C – Creekview Scope [PDF]
• Appendix D – Nokomis Scope [PDF]
• Appendix E – Prevailing Wage Rates [PDF]
• Appendix F – MDCR Docs – Security RFP [PDF]
• Addendum 1- Answers to Questions [PDF]

• Request for Proposals: Shingle Creek Regional Trail, Shingle Creek Neighborhood Park, Creekview Neighborhood Park and Bohanon Park – Design, Construction Documentation and Construction Administration Services for Parks Improvements [PDF]
• Addendum 1 – RFQ for Professional Services – Shingle Creek and Bohanon Parks [PDF]
• Addendum 2 – RFQ for Professional Services – Shingle Creek and Bohanon Parks [PDF]

• Water Works Pavilion RFP – 2025 [PDF]