Photo: Emma Friedman/WBZ NewsRadio
SOUTH WALPOLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — With World Cup games being held in Foxboro this summer, some home owners and businesses who own a piece of relatively flat property that is walking distance to Gillette Stadium have been making side money by renting parking spots to fans going to the games.
A couple of Dunkins in Foxboro on either side of Rte. 1 have been renting out parking spots on game nights.
In South Walpole on Tuesday, homeowner Erica Burdon said the opportunity was just too good to pass up, so she applied for, and received from the town, a permit to make her lawn into a parking lot for the games. "We have seen our neighbors have a lot of success," Erica said. "Everybody that comes to park here is super respectful."
Her property is about a 15-minute walk to the stadium and she charges $100 a spot. "So we have 26 we can fit. We've got a lot of response for today's game."
On Tuesday night, Iraq was playing Norway at Gillette, renamed Boston Stadium for the tournament.
The World Cup games in Foxboro opened Saturday night when Scotland beat Haiti.
There are seven games in all in Foxboro through July 9th.
With two kids in college, Erica said the money she is making is being put towards tuition.
Her sister, who lives around the corner, is doing the same thing.
Meanwhile, Erica said the experience so far has been nothing but positive. "It went amazing and I had tons of fun. I love the people watching. I love hanging outside."
WBZ NewsRadio's Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.