<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0nHhgx_0vlFCWoY00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0nHhgx_0vlFCWoY00" width="1500" height="844" >GREEN BAY (WLUK) – It is a major win for Bay Beach Amusement Park after a federal grant was awarded to build a wildlife viewing platform, but what does that mean for the long-time desire of returning a swimming beach to the park?Construction is expected to start next fall on the viewing platform. It's part of a plan that has taken a Zippin Pippin roller coaster type ride to get to the point we are at today.It's been about 80 years since the swimming beach at Bay Beach Amusement Park was closed due to environmental concerns.News of the $2.4 million grant for the wildlife viewing platform doesn't necessarily mean a beach will ever return - even though the two projects were paired together in a plan the city council passed six years ago.“If the beach happens, it's part of phase two and it's going to be several years down the road before we look at that as an option,” said Green Bay Parks Director Dan Ditscheit.In 2018, the city council agreed to borrow $5 million and try to fundraise another $2 million for a pier, boardwalk, bathhouse, new parking lots, and a sand beach.A lack of fundraising and high-water levels led to the council deciding in 2020 to split the work into two phases.Between 2018 and now, some of that $5 million loan has been spent on preliminary infrastructure for the viewing platform and engineering work, according to Ditscheit.City officials say there's plenty of that money left, combined with grants, to now execute phase 1, which will include the viewing platform and a new shoreline walkway.In 2026, the plan is to refinance debt. Ditscheit says that's when they could look at securing funding for phase 2, which would include the sand beach.“I think some of the funding issues with that is making sure that dead spot out there, we got to get that to come back alive and then we won't have to worry about the sand being taken away or fish or problems with E. coli and things like that,” said Green Bay Alderperson Kathy Hinkfuss.There are plenty of people out there who are a hard no when it comes to the possibility of getting in the water at Bay Beach. However, throughout the years, city officials have continued to point out studies that maintain the water is swimmable.“When it gets hot in the middle of summer, then it becomes a little more difficult because you have to deal with E. coli and algae blooms, just like you do at any other swimming beach,” said Ditscheit.The city council still needs to vote to accept the grant for the viewing platform. That's expected to happen at its meeting next Tuesday.</div></body>

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Despite viewing platform grant, return of beach at Bay Beach 'several years down the road'

GREEN BAY (WLUK) – It is a major win for Bay Beach Amusement Park after a federal grant was awarded to build a wildlife viewing platform, but what does that mean for the long-time desire of returning a swimming beach to the park?. Construction is expected to start next...