I have been doing a survey on empty parking spaces around either side of the square, not including the side streets. On most days at noon the average count of empty spaces is 45 – on side streets probably 50 or more. The village has a public lot on Williams  St. at the old village office that needs some sprucing up and some appropriate signage and the county owns a quarter block at the old jail that can be used for parking. What we need to fill these spaces is to create an environment to attract retail trade to the downtown. The park is intended to be one element of the equation/catalyst to make this happen, the other parts of the equation is for building owners to renovate their buildings to attract businesses and the third is community support and activism – anyone interested in establishing a small retail store wants the building to be move in ready. Point in fact, there was recently the opportunity for a building owner to rent space to an entity that wanted open a business, but the building owner refused to fix roof leaks, and several other issues requiring repairs. There are some building owners who could really make a difference in turning  the downtown around if they would just renovate their buildings  - will anyone step up to the challenge. So many times I think, “I wish I had the capital to renovate/restore one of the buildings and how much of a difference it would make to the community”.