Pokemon Outbreak

[LincolnParkWalkers]

Has anyone noticed a huge influx of people at Lincoln Park (not necessarily there to enjoy the scenary) after Pokemon Go added Lincoln Park to it’s game? I’m hoping this won’t lead to more crime, etc. Any idea how long this will continue? — Just wanting some peace and quiet.

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[fatkitty]

Yep! I go to Lincoln Park daily for a walk the amount of people there has increased by a lot. At least triple (maybe more??) amount of people in the park all walking around like zombies. :(

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[rw]

I was there today also. Very weird to be surrounded by natural beauty, but at least half of the people on the waterfront trail were focused on their screens. Pokemon Zombies seems like an apt description. At least they were not loud or intrusive. And better in Lincoln Park than in traffic.

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[jissy]

We too have noticed it — have been doing swim lessons at Colman and ride our bikes into the park, I have had to remind my kids to pay attention b/c it seems like no one else is b/c they are playing this game. I just don’t get it.

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[Sunuva]

Yes, there appears to be a Pokestop on the waterfront path about 2/3 of the way from the South Parking lot to Colman Pool. I found it pretty amusing as I sat on a bench there to eat lunch with my daughter last week and quickly realized I was surrounded by people talking about and playing Pokemon Go. It’s just a bunch of gamers and geeks enjoying their pastime and for once, doing it outdoors. They’ve probably gotten more sun this summer than any summer since they were old enough to play video games. I think that’s probably a good thing and the game does make people get out and socialize with each other. Sure, a lot of them are looking at screens, but they are also talking to each other and getting outside. I don’t see any way this could lead to crime in the park. However, the parking in that south lot is more contentious than it ever was before, so maybe some parking rage incidents are possible. I’ve given up trying to park in that lot lately.

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[Whale]

I think it will cause more crime!

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[ferson]

Sorry I did not see this thread already started before writing the thing I just posted.

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[shaze25]

I don’t play Pokemon and think its existence is silly, but not as much as this thread. I am also a frequent Lincoln park walker and have noticed the influx of people.

They have just as much right to be there as you do. I can’t stand the “when do we get our park back” talk. It’s a public park. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been going there for 30 years or 30 days, you have an equal amount of right to be there. What evidence of an increase in Pokemon players would lead to an increase in crime?

While I admittedly didn’t love the influx of people and having to park in the larger lot, I did enjoy the new people watching. The mix of Pokemon players was very eclectic and I saw many couples, families, friends walking around playing. They all seemed to be having a good time and doing nothing to damage the park, create a mess, etc.

Seriously, we’re complaining about how annoying it is to see a father and young daughter walking around a park playing a game together.

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[West Seattle since 1979]

Why would increased park usage lead to crime? That is a really disturbing comment. People playing this game are focused on the game, not criminal activity. If more people are using the park, that’s great! That’s what it’s for, to be used! Why does it matter to you if they use it to look at the scenery or are looking at a screen? If someone wanted to go to a park and sit reading, or knitting, or writing a letter, would that bother you? After all, they’re not looking at the scenery. Is it because they’re using technology that it’s a problem?

People playing Pokemon Go are getting exercise that they probably didn’t get before. Even though they’re looking at a screen, a lot of them are doing this with other people so they’re socializing too.

I just don’t get why people worry about how other people are using a park, as long as they’re not interfering with you or damaging the park or littering, or they don’t have a badly-behaved dog that’s attacking you or your dog.

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[melissa]

I think the gamers may, if anything, make the park safer. And of course some of them are impolite. Those folks should look up, say hi, or at least not stand in the middle of the path. What’s so hard about saying, “Hey, would you please stand to the edge of the path? Thanks.”

Most of them are polite and quiet, though, which I thought many people — particularly those who complain about the rowdies on Alki — would appreciate. The current obsession will mellow out; I hope the appreciation for my favorite park doesn’t.

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[TanDL]

Cranky, cranky people. Lighten up. It’s a public park. I’m not crazy about joggers clomp, clomp, clomping up behind me, huffing and puffing either, but it’s a public park and I’m glad they are at least enjoying some nice fresh air. Try to support young people for a change instead of always complaining about them, just like our elders did when we were young. Break the cycle of complaining… :) And enjoy the increased use of the park. If you want a totally quiet and people free woodsy area, move to the wilderness.

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[lallen]

I’m honestly not sure where all the hate comes from. Just something to complain about, maybe? In many ways, Pokemon Go isn’t much different than other exercise apps that gamify a person’s workout like Zombie Run or Fitocracy; it’s also not much different in spirit than geocaching. What’s wrong with people having fun and getting some exercise while doing it?

I personally love watching the development of all the novel ways we’re learning to interweave technology with the positive aspects of daily life. Instead of complaining about the applications of new ideas to your local public environment, maybe you could suggest/invent some that you might find more appropriate? Like apps that use sight or sound recognition to ID native plants or birdcalls, for instance, or a “History Go” app that leads you on a hunt for local landmarks and obscure points of interest.

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[mergirl]

This post makes me so sad, but I fully plan to continue to take my kid to the park. We will continue doing the things we always have, like cleaning up other peoples litter, observing native plants and animals, walking around, using the playgrounds. But we will also enjoy making new friends and playing Pokemon Go! We live here. We are raising our family here and we have a right to use the park too. Yes, we are young and like to play games. Yes, it’s part of a culture that maybe you don’t understand. But just because you don’t get it doesn’t mean that it’s bad or destructive. It certainly doesn’t mean that we are criminals or will attract crime. Please realize that we are also voting, tax paying able-bodied citizens who will help you when you are in need. This is a hobby, and a relatively quiet, non-destructive one at that . It’s clear you don’t get it it but I don’t understand how you could possibly think this would lead to more crime? We have jobs, volunteer and help our communities. We take care of our parks. My great-grandmother walked her kids in the same park. If we witness a crime in progress we will report it, take pictures with our phones and help you out if you need it! Instead of judging us and writing snarky posts about us, why not say hello :) We would be happy to tell you all about the game, how it works and show you how to play. Your GOML attitude would be fine if you were talking about your actual lawn, but your talking about a public park! One that we love and actively work to take care of too.

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[JanS]

I am 69…of the “get of my lawn” crowd, and am sometimes cranky like an old lady…but this is what I see…and it’s not just 20 somethings – I know mid 30’s people playing, too. Some are walking up to 3 miles a day or more, some are walking away from Facebook and their computers to be outside wherever, IN PUBLIC (like Lincoln Park) getting fresh air, sunshine, Vit. D, interacting with each other. What the hell is wrong with that? There is another thread on here that wants Pokeman Go to go back inside…whatever for? It’s a big world out there and we’re all allowed to live in it. Being out there is good, and it’s healthy. I listen to my geek neighbor who is into video games on his computer so much that he sits there for hours playing (windows open), being angry, cussing and swearing up a storm , that can be heard all over the neighborhood, up until 1 and 2 am. Now you tell me which is healthier. Damn, there is no pleasing some people. No man is an island !

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