Patriots fans can park for free, but then after the game are required to wait in the lot for 75 minutesGETTY IMAGES
Patriots President Jonathan Kraft last year came up with the "unique idea" of introducing a free parking program at Gillette Stadium, which will "continue in a more official capacity" this year, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Patriots fans can "park for free, but then after the game are required to wait in the lot for 75 minutes." The idea is that the fans who "park for free and wait will reduce the number of cars on Route 1 immediately after the game." Patriots COO Jim Nolan said, "We tried Jonathan's idea last year and found that it was well received and sustainable. People who took advantage of it loved it as an option." The free lot is across the street from Gillette Stadium, and the Patriots also are "reducing the cost of parking in other lots across the street from the stadium this year -- from $40 to $30." Nolan said that the new setup means "parking prices have been lowered on 75% of the spaces at Gillette Stadium" (ESPN.com, 8/11). In Boston, Jim McBride notes the Patriots are the "only team in the NFL to offer an on-site free parking lot" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/12).
