Glossary · Events & planning
Ground conditions
Definition
Ground conditions describe the surface a van will drive over and park on, such as tarmac, gravel or grass, and whether it is firm, level and dry.
An ice cream van is a heavy vehicle. Hard standing such as tarmac or paving is ideal. Firm, dry grass is usually fine, but soft, waterlogged or steep ground can leave a van stuck or tilted, and can damage lawns. Gravel can also be a problem if it is deep and loose.
Weather changes things. A field that is firm in July may be soft after a week of rain, so it is worth checking close to the day and having a back-up pitch on harder ground. A van also needs to stand reasonably level for the equipment inside to work properly. Tell us what the surface is like when you book, and let us know if conditions change in the days before the event.
Related terms
- PitchA pitch is the spot where a food van parks and trades at an event. A good pitch is level, reachable and close to where guests gather.
- Access routeThe access route is the path a van takes from the road to its pitch, including gates, width, height clearance, turns and surfaces along the way.
- Site visitA site visit is a check of an event location before the day to confirm access, the pitch, the ground and any restrictions that affect a supplier.
- The full glossary54 terms, from soft serve to street trading licences.
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