TWO RIVERS – Two Rivers City Council is moving forward on a $450,000 project to renovate the existing concession stand and pavilion at Neshotah Park.
Dozens of Two Rivers residents attended the Oct. 6 council meeting to share opinions on an earlier proposal to demolish and replace the existing building.
One citizen, Susan Robitaille, said she was attracted to the city’s simplistic charm when she moved two years ago.
“There’s something innocent and timeless about walking up to that (concession) window, buying a popsicle or an ice cream sandwich, and sitting in the sand to watch the waves,” she said.
“That simple, wholesome experience is what makes our beach special …,” she added. “Our beach is a park, a natural sanctuary, not a commercial zone. “
Several others said they opposed the plan for a commercial-grade space in the park that could be leased out.
A petition with 567 signatures on Change.org also opposes tearing down the existing concession stand and urges the council to make changes to the existing building instead.
Now, city staff are moving forward with a plan to upgrade the existing concession area, expand the restrooms and family changing rooms, install new flooring, plumbing and electrical systems, and potentially renovate the adjacent picnic shelter.
City Manager Kyle Kordell said in a news release the pavilion renovations and a new paid parking program at the beach are “aimed at enhancing the visitor experience and long-term sustainability of Neshotah Beach.”
The paid parking program was also approved during the council’s Oct. 6 meeting.
According to Kordell, the program is “designed to collect real-world data on beach parking usage and revenue potential.”
The trial program, which is expected to run for 10-20 days during the 2026 summer season, will charge a daily fee of $10 for each car in lots 2 and 3 near the concession stand. Parking in lots 4 and 5, as well as parallel parking along Zlatnik and Pierce streets, will remain free and open to the public.
The city estimates the paid parking could bring in up to $40,000 in revenue.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Two Rivers approves $450K Neshotah Beach concession stand renovation, will try paid parking
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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