Anybody playing Pokemon GO?

[InfestedKerrigan]

If it makes me money, of course I'm a fan!

 

Sell out.  

[Brick Bungalow]

Sell out.  

quite literally, we sell out of these damn things almost daily. 

[Guest]

I've volunteered at THPRD before, so I'm on their mailing list. Sent this guy a few weeks back:

 

Fluctuation in visitor numbers before and after the release of Pokemon GO (line graph courtesy of Nature Center Evening Supervisor Patricia Landers Gee and Park Ranger Scott Hinderman).

What We Know About Pokémon GO:
Do Technology and Nature Mix?
 

The term Pokémon is a combination of two Japanese words, roughly translating to “pocket monsters”. Pokémon GO is an augmented reality game from Japan featuring imaginary animals, each species with a different power used to battle each other. Game players act as Pokémon trainers, searching for and catching the animals to build up their collection and chances of winning a battle.

 

Apparently many parks in the district are hot spots for Pokémon critters, especially Tualatin Hills Nature Park (THNP). During the week of the game’s release in early July, we saw a 66% increase in attendance at this site alone (See line graph). Kristin Atman, Interpretive Programs Supervisor at THNP, was curious enough to conduct a short survey one afternoon. She asked people if they had been to the park before and if they were there to play Pokémon GO.

- Of 71 people, 38 (or 54%) were there to play Pokémon GO.

- Of 71 people, 8 (or 11%) had never been to THNP before.

- Of the 8 new visitors, 7 (or 88%) were there because they were playing Pokémon GO.

 

People have undoubtedly been visiting our parks because of the game; the question is how does this technology mix with nature? According to Atman, the few valid concerns that have arisen (e.g. visitors’ sole focus on their phones, after hour park activity and full parking lots) have been outweighed by the positive impacts of Pokémon GO. These include, “new people and new demographics of visitors, people talking to each other as well as sharing their excitement and stories with us, people excited to be outside, people telling us about seeing and hearing owls while they've been playing the game, etc.”. Whether you visit the parks to play Pokémon GO, commute to work or take a leisurely stroll, we encourage everyone to keep their eyes and ears alert and tuned in to the natural beauty that is all around.