As we’re all well aware at this point, Pokémon Go is a force to be reckoned with. It’s already packing public spaces and creating new revenue streams and we’re still only in the first week. It’s not just Seattle either, check out Bellevue last night.
Now, most Pokémon players are keeping things strictly legal but there have been plenty of warnings for people not to trespass and to respect the private businesses located in and around Pokéstops and gyms.
Unfortunately, according to one Redditer, that doesn’t seem to be happening at South Lake Union’s Center for Wooden Boats. Lake Union Park and the surrounding area is a certified hotspot for water-based creatures and other game features.
That’s causing some major issues according to one Redditor.
My wife is one of the staff at The Center for Wooden Boats, and she described to me last night how The Center is overwhelmed by hundreds of Pokemon players at their docks. It is impacting their operations (woodworking classes, camps, dock-side sailing instructions, etc.).
They are finding Pokemon players climbing into their boats uninvited and unattended, not wearing life-jackets. They are finding players there after they close down for the night when one or two staff are working after-hours. They have a shelter at the south-end of their center where they host woodworking shops, and so many Pokemon players are constantly hanging out in that shelter that they are getting in the way of the instruction. Pokemon players have been found to unplug drills and heat guns and take those outlets to charge their cell phones.
The Center is worried that they will have to hire a new full-time security guard that they don't have the budget for (they are a non-profit that relies on donations and grants). What can be done to reduce the number of Pokemon players there?
Many commenters pointed out that the easiest way to get an unwanted PokeStop removed is to fill out this form requesting so. There’s also a Google Plus page where companies and organizations can ask to be removed or added.
We’re going to keep an eye on the Center and other places like it in the coming days as the initial madness settles down but questions over whether or not gamemaker Ingress is right to assign major game hotspots to locations that don’t want it.
In the meantime, one of the biggest suggestions by Redditors is for places like the Center for Wooden Boats to make the most of the attention. Put our donation buckets. Put up flyers. Post people to talk about the organization. Offer a special deal. Whatever can help offset the immediate concerns and issues.
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