FAIL: Sussex a No-Show to New Friends of Parks Meeting

The attempt to spark interest in a new group is now put on hold after nobody showed up to the first meeting.

Sussex officials organized a gathering Monday night at 6 p.m. at for anyone interested in joining the group, or even for those wanting more information on the organization. The group would be responsible for starting a Sussex farmers market and fundraising for the , among other things.

“We didn’t have anyone show up,” said Parks & Rec Director Amy Flaherty. “Because with , I didn’t promote it a ton. I know (Patch) had a few articles on the meeting, but yeah… I think we’re going to wait until the new person gets on board and do another meeting then, and then we can promote it more.”

“We’re completely interested in getting a farmers market started. However, the village staff doesn’t want to be the one that has to run it because of the time and expense..."

Flaherty, who’s last day is Friday, says while people may have loved the idea of a farmers market in Sussex, nobody stepped up to the plate to help organize one. In Patch's latest notifying readers of the meeting, two Patch readers said they'd love to see a farmers market in Sussex.

"I think a farmers market in Sussex is an absolutely great idea!" wrote Kelly in the comments. "I hope to see it become a reality."

And according to Flaherty, the market still has a chance. In order to keep taxes low, the village isn't allocating any money to a staff member to organize the community market. However, it might just take one volunteer. 

“We’re completely interested in getting a farmers market started,” Falherty said. “However, the village staff doesn’t want to be the one that has to run it because of the time and expense, so we’re more than willing to get sometime to help get it started. That’s where we thought the Friends group would come in.”

If you couldn’t make Monday night’s meeting and are still interested in volunteering with the Parks Department, give Interim Parks Director Megan Sackett a call at (262) 424-3906, or email her here.