The South Euclid Food Truck Park is gearing up for summer food and music at 4477 Rushton Road, near the Green Road and Mayfield Road intersections, with an expanded schedule, new improvements, and a growing role as a catalyst for development in the Mayfield-Green Downtown District.

The food truck park has grown in popularity in the past two years, especially as other area food truck parks have closed, says Danel Subwick, City of South Euclid parks and recreation director.

South Euclid Food Truck Park“As far as I know, only two other food truck parks [remain],” he says. “There is one in Lakewood and one in Willoughby, but ours is the only publicly-owned food truck park in Ohio.”

While improvements to the park were planned for this spring —including installation of permeable pavers for stormwater management and new gates—the project was delayed after a large water main break occurred on the site over the winter. Subwick says the upgrades will be completed in the fall.

The 2025 season opens this Friday, June 6 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and runs through August 30, marking its longest season yet. With 13 weeks of food and music, this year’s season lasts five weeks longer than the first two seasons. Two food trucks and live entertainment will be at the park on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout the summer—featuring a curated mix of food vendors, live music, and nonprofit partnerships that benefit from beer sales.

“We're really excited to bring the food truck park back,” says Subwick. "We have three great months of programming, live music and amazing food trucks. And the best part about this program is how it gives back to the community.”

All season long, 90% of beer sales will be donated to the selected nonprofits for each night. One South Euclid, the city's community development corporation, allocates the proceeds to various organizations throughout the season, and is the beneficiary on opening night.

The Perfect Choice Band, known as one of Northeast Ohio’s top wedding bands, opens this Friday. On Saturday, saxophone musician Andre Cavor, who also is a member of the family-operated South Euclid food and entertainment venue Cavor Entertainment, will perform.

Food trucks on Friday are Grippy's Sauce Co. and Tropical Sno CLE. “This year I'm trying to have an entree truck, and a dessert truck every night,” Subwick notes.

Khalid Ali of Grippy's Sauce Co.Grippy’s founder and South Euclid resident Khalid Ali and his business partner Gregory McCoy were named as finalists last fall at the 2024 National Fried Chicken Festival in New Orleans.

On Saturday, the Urban Wrap Co. will open its truck and Take a Lap Foundation—a nonprofit that supports individuals and groups touching healthcare crises and was created in honor of a South Euclid resident who passed away from cancer—will benefit.

“We're happy to support them and all the good work they do funneling money into research,” says Subwick.

The full 2025 Food Truck Park schedule will be finalized this week. Additionally, the Park will host bingo nights and the city is working on a partnership with Story Wars, a growing community of creators, writers, storytellers, and listeners that come together, to offer community programming

The opening weekend concludes with One South Euclid’s Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 8 at the food truck park, featuring speakers, poetry, food, and activities.

Kristian Hunter, who became One South Euclid's executive director in February, sees the food truck park as part of a broader community engagement strategy. “The voice of the community is necessary [for growth],” she says. “I think it's important for the nonprofit organizations to create that visibility.”

Musician Andre CavorHunter says they are still looking for nonprofits interested in being Food Truck Night Beneficiaries. People representing nonprofits that serve South Euclid can email Hunter or contact the parks and recreation department about participating.

South Euclid planning and development director Michael Love says the food truck success aligns with broader development in South Euclid's downtown district.

South Euclid City Council recently approved rezoning the downtown district to encourage transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly development. "We want to continue building on what we have,” says Love. “I think the food truck park is a fantastic way to do that by really creating a destination for people to experience and then see all the Mayfield-Green District has to offer.”

Other placemaking initiatives include a new mural planned for 1449 Messenger Court featuring the message "Grow Together" with a floral design to compliment artist Lisa Quine’s yellow and purple “Come Together” mural on the side of the building at 4490 Mayfield Road, near S. Green Road.

The food truck park has evolved from its origins as a series of pop-up events to become a cornerstone of South Euclid's downtown development strategy, drawing visitors while supporting local businesses, charities, and artists. As it enters its third season with expanded programming and planned improvements, it continues to shape the city's vision for a vibrant, walkable downtown district.

South Euclid Truck Park opens its third season on Friday, June 6 at 5 p.m. at 4477 Rushton Road, 44121. The park operates on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through Saturday, Aug. 30. The performance and food truck schedule is subject to change.