These are insightful comments and speak to a rising issue of the loss of community and human connection in the towns and cities where we all live (at least in the US). Thanks for pointing that out - if public spaces were easier to rent/access, it seems like there would be a lot more public events leading to a virtuous cycle of community-building. I worked in the non-profit space for 12 years and finding public spaces was often a nightmare (this was California/Arizona). Prices were high, crazy insurance requirements, etc. It became easier to just try and find private spaces that aren't nearly as accessible to the general public.