Are water towers that are fenced off acceptable waypoints?

jokeinsurance-PGO

I have noticed a few water tower waypoints along my commute to work that are fenced off.

Would those lack the criteria of pedestrian access?

Here is an example of a waypoint called Alexandria Water Tower:

Waypoint URL - https://intel.ingress.com/?ll=38.816555,-77.05151&z=17

Street view of the waypoint - https://maps.app.goo.gl/gxtouTfH8KN2RJNs6

I am just generally curious. Thanks!

Gendgi-PGO

An old (outdated) Operation Portal Recon guideline implies "no" for this case, assuming the fenced enclosure in your example is what Niantic meant by "restricted area."

Candidate: Water Tower

Policy: Accept

Suggested Vote: ★★★★

ACCEPT if accessible without entering a restricted area, is uniquely decorated, or are otherwise a notable monument.

https://web.archive.org/web/20190308131229/https://plus.google.com/+NIAOps/posts/Uw3rzL352Ut

However I don't believe this was ever "published" beyond that guide to continue into Wayfarer criteria, and certainly not post 3.1 update.

X0bai-PGO

A POI does not have to be publicly accessible, as long as it is a great place to socialize or explore or exercise, and is safely pedestrian-accessible for someone who can rightfully be there.

jokeinsurance-PGO

@Gendgi-PGO and @X0bai-PGO Thanks for replying. Both of your answers are great.