As crowds start to grow at Bay Beach, are people paying to use the park’s premier parking?

Preferred parking sign at Bay Beach, May 24, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online

GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Families that want to spend the day at Bay Beach amusement park have lots of choices to make.

It’s not just what rides to get on. Now, it’s where to park.

For the first time, the City of Green Bay is implementing paid premier parking.

“Are people willing to pay the $7 fee to park there to get a little added convenience on their end? And we don’t really know how the public is going to react to this,” said Dan Ditscheit, Green Bay Parks Director.

The lot could fit about 70 cars and is right next to the ticket booth. The public had a mixed reaction.

Heather Taibl did use the premier lot.

“You know, it’s so nice that we have this in our community for the kids and it’s so inexpensive as it is. I mean to me it’s just another cost to help support the facility,” said Taibl.

Kim Brewer, parked where she always does.

“I thought about it today, but I was like, normally we park down there anyway, so yeah, I don’t even know how close it is where you pay, but I would do it if we needed to,” said Brewer.

Around noon on Sunday, just a handful of people decided to pay the $7 to park closer to the door. They can only do that one of two ways. One way is the passport parking app. You can also pay by texting “park” to 30844.

“If it is a problem throughout the year, we can implement other ways of payment for next year,” said Ditscheit.

Both Taibl and Brewer said throughout the year, the parking cost could add up.

“I think if I came more often, I probably wouldn’t pay to park,” said Taibl.

“If you come that many times, then yeah, $7 each time is, you know, more than the tickets, honestly. It’s still a very reasonable place to bring your kids. So, either way, it’s fun, especially on a day like today when it’s super nice out,” said Brewer.

The revenue generated from the parking will be used for park maintenance and improvements.

This is the first full week that Bay Beach will be open in 2026. Its final full week is scheduled for August 23-29.