Ms. Robinson: The city council has asked our civics class for student opinions on one question. The city owns an empty lot downtown, next to the library. One plan is to turn it into a parking lot. The other is to make it a small park with trees and benches. Amy, you're first.

Amy: I support the park. Downtown has almost no shade, and in summer the sidewalks are brutal. Students already walk to the library after school, and right now there's nowhere to sit outside. A park would make people want to spend time downtown, and that helps the businesses too.

Ms. Robinson: Brandon?

Brandon: I understand wanting shade. But the reason people don't come downtown is that they can't park. My mom drives around for ten minutes every time she goes to the library, and she's not the only one. If people can't park, they won't come at all, and then a park won't help anybody.

Amy: But more parking just brings more cars. A park gives people a reason to come in the first place.

Brandon: A reason to come doesn't matter if they have nowhere to leave the car.