Research is being conducted on potential parking fees at Neshotah Beach in Two Rivers.
City Manager Greg Buckley explained on WOMT’s Be My Guest program that there has been discussion off and on for two years about having a fee for parking at the beach because of how popular the beach is.
However, there is currently no plan right now.
Buckley explained that the fee would have possibly been for paying for improving and cleaning the beach.
However, the topic is going to be discussed at the city’s Advisory Recreation Board meeting this Wednesday.
“I know city staff has had presentations from two or three different parking system vendors,” he mentioned. “It ain’t a done deal, there’s quite a few variables.”
Buckley says if the city were to move forward with the fee, there would have to be some exceptions, like allowing people to cruise through the beach.
Buckley noted, “That’s very popular locally. May not be going there, but people just like to take a cruise along the drive and see who’s playing on the bandstand if it’s a weekend.”
There is also a discussion of making sure residents don’t have to pay fees either.
Buckley also wonders whether the city should look at who’s using the beach or if there are other ways they could make more money at the beach.
The city is also under Wisconsin’s uniformity clause, which prevents municipalities from favoring residents and residential areas.
The topic on the Advisory Recreation Board meeting says the board will get an “Update on Neshotah Beach paid parking research.”
