One of the worst experiences when hanging out with people is feeling drained or tired, especially when everyone around you is jovial. The sun seems to give them energy; for you, it seems to do the opposite. The fear of missing out on fun adventures keeps you rooted, instead of excusing yourself and finding an environment more suited to your feelings, but there's a risk of you bringing the mood down if you stay. Sometimes these moods spring up out of nowhere, but more commonly these tired emotions stem from a lack of energy. Cafes and gas stations can offer an energy boost, but what if you're in a vast park? Suddenly, energy boosters become sparse, and the continuous walking is only making your mood worse. Now, the once orchestral sounds of birds and trees rustling are more akin to the noisy neighbor mowing their lawn at 8:00 AM on a Saturday.
For situations like this, concessions in parks repeatedly show their importance. Hours spent in the park can fly by in your head, but your body feels the effects much earlier. Hunger, thirst, and simple cravings become increasingly prominent, and the convenience of concessions reduce the annoyance of all these issues. Besides, who doesn't want an ice cream while they watch the sunset? Food and drink that are readily available helps visitors extend their stay, and helps them stay hydrated, something that is all too important in summer months especially.
Concessions also serve as another stream of revenue for parks. The income generated from concessions can help fund park maintenance, facility improvements, and conservation efforts. This financial support is particularly important for regional parks, which often operate on limited public funding. By reinvesting concession revenue back into the park, the overall quality and sustainability of the park can be improved for all users. San Bernardino County, California is seeking bids from qualified vendors to provide snack bar concessions for their regional parks. If interested in this opportunity, click on the link to learn more. The bid closes October 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM PT.
