UPDATE: 2:30 pm - The resolution passed, 13 to 4.
Original post: Last summer people flocked to the lush green space above Lake Michigan like never before. The crowds were pursuing small, virtual monsters. The creatures "appeared” in the space, on smartphone screens of people who have the Pokémon Go app.
County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman represents the Lake Park neighborhood. And at a recent county parks committee meeting, Wasserman showed videos and photos taken last summer by neighbors, during what they considered a Pokémon Go invasion.
“It was absolutely a free-for-all. Porta Potties that tipped over, all the sewage went into the park. It was absolute bedlam. Would you want this in your park? And would anyone want this in our parks?” he asked.
Wasserman is proposinga resolution to be added to an ordinance that would require companies that create location-based, augmented reality games apply for a permit and pay for potential damage to the park.
Colleen Foley, an attorney for the county, explained: “There’s there an indemnification clause that has to be signed off on, a certificate of insurance has to be provided. An important feature is that it puts the cost where they belong, on these companies that are making money and that includes for security – hygiene issues. There’s flexibility with the parks department on fees and there a penalty imbedded in the ordinance that can be $500 to $5,000 a day.”
"No way did we try to go after Pokemon players but they were really used at pawns by a company that dropped in a game plan, used our parks. This is what we are left with now. People say there is no damage."- County Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman
Committee chair Jason Haase quizzed Supervisor Wasserman, asking if he painting too dire a situation.
“I believe the county executive’s office finally got a hold of Niantic Corporation, the makers of Pokémon Go. Were they successful getting these Pokémon stops or gyms moved?” Haase asked.
Wasserman said several spots were removed. “But at no time, and I think this was something a lot of the Poke players were raising the question, were you just trying to shut it down for Lake Park. Absolutely not. We want Lake Park to be used, but in a proper way,” he said.
Lake Park neighbor Kelly Schmidt shares Wasserman's assessment of the mess and disruptions Pokémon Go players caused.
“I didn’t see elderly people walking after July 1; they couldn’t, how could elderly people walk like this? I didn’t see people walking their dogs or bike riding with their children. Isn’t that what are parks are for, every single one,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt wants the county to prevent such games from taking place in residential areas.
Andrew Dondero suggested a different approach. He's a fan of these types of games. He proposes Milwaukee County seize the opportunity to partner with game manufacturers – and at the same time raise money for park improvements.
“You could have Pokémon Go Friends of Lake Park event, bring people to a different park that could maintain this sort of event, charge people admission. The county and the players could work with this company to develop these events and bring the crowds to a more sustainable area," he said.
Parks committee vice chair Marcelia Nicholson said over time, her opinion evolved about the proposed county ordinance to regulate the games.
“When it first came to the table…it completely turned me off. I felt like it would limit access to people who don’t live in the area. And I’ll be quite honest – it sounded like rich people’s problem,” she said.
Nicholson said the images and videos captured by neighbors last summer swayed her.
“It absolutely disgusted me what happened to Lake Park. My constituents would be angry if that same damage was done to Washington Park or to Juneau Park, these are our county treasures. And I also feel we need to hold these companies more accountable,” she said.
The full county board is expected to vote on Supervisor Wasserman's proposal Thursday.
No matter the outcome, a broader community discussion will likely continue about what it means to conserve natural spaces in the 21st century for the community as a whole.
