THUNDER BAY – The downtown Fort William Business District is a place of contrasts. There is massive opportunity in the area. Affordable rents, store fronts just waiting for entrepreneurs, and beautiful parks. Its not perfect, but with a little more work, and some real dedication, the spirit is there.
Paterson Park has lots of potential. On social media this week there are lots of people suggesting that the park was much better in the past. Some are asserting it is a mess.
![Paterson Park in its 'hey-day'...from an older postcard.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Paterson-Park-in-the-old-days.jpg)
Here is how Paterson Park looks today:
![Paterson Park - Image taken July 30 2014](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Paterson-Park-July-30-2014-3.jpg)
![Paterson Park looking east - Image taken July 30 2014](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Paterson-Park-July-30-2014-2.jpg)
![Paterson Park looking west - Image taken July 30 2014](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Paterson-Park-July-30-2024.jpg)
The flower gardens are gone, but the park was, except for two empty bottles and a paper bag very clean.
What is missing in these pictures on a beautiful summer night was people. The park had three people in it when our crew arrived to take pictures. It is a quiet place to sit and think, talk or read.
Walking the streets of the Downtown Fort William Business District, you find lots of people in the evenings. Often you are greeted with smiles and friendship.
![Ashley, Roxanne and Denise out in the downtown Fort William Business District](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Fort-William-Downtown-July-30-2014.jpg)
![Downtown Thunder Bay South offers some beautiful and thoughtful sights.](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Lest-We-Forget-City-Hall.jpg)
![Sunset clouds over downtown Fort William Business District - Image by Trent Campeau](https://www.netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Sunset-Clouds-Fort-William-Downtown-July-30-2014.jpg)
Paterson Park Images by Trent Campeau for NNL
Picture of Ashley, Roxanne and Denise by James Murray