The need is there, but you are among the many people wondering exactly where more parking could go near one of Peninsula State Park’s most popular attractions.

Last month, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced it was pursuing two variances near its biggest attractions: Eagle Bluff Lighthouse and Eagle Tower. After the announcement, Peninsula State Park Superintendent Eric Hyde said the changes would be welcomed as Eagle Tower and Eagle Bluff Lighthouse garner many visitors' attention during the tourism season. At the tower, the goal is to add more parking and reconfigure some nearby roads to make the attraction more accessible to those looking to get a bird’s eye view of the area.

DNR Planner Yoyi Steele got a first-hand look at how popular Eagle Tower is when she visited the park last summer. As the public comment period winds (down?), she admits that the feedback for adding parking has been mixed, with people trying to find the balance between welcoming more visitors and altering the landscape around the tower. Some have said there is insufficient information to comment on it since the variance documents do not specify where additional parking and roads would go. Steele says there will be lots of planning and studies before shovels hit the dirt to ensure it is feasible economically and sustainably.

You likely will not see what is done at some popular U.S. National Parks properties where remote parking and shuttles are used to ease traffic congestion. Steele says if it were ever to happen, the DNR would have to work with a private entity to make it work. It is not something the DNR is currently exploring. People interested in letting their thoughts know about the variances have until February 8th.