The little Park that could!
Stentorious-PGO
Posts: 50 ✭✭
Hello all, I have been trying to nominate this submission of a poi for a park but get other rejection, poor quality photo and private residence. I’ve tried a few different times and assumed over time if reviewers were learning from my supporting info this would eventually get approved. But alas here I am making one last attempt to get help and direction on this poi submission. Please take a look and provide any help or criticism as you see fit.
Comments
Hello and welcome @Stentorious-PGO
Keep trying !
But I think with a different approach.
I had a look on Google Maps.
Do remember each time it is likely to be a fresh set of reviewers
The bench at the entrance looks as though it may be unique with an artistic interpretation of Shawnee Hills. Is it a one off that commissioned as opposed to off the shelf. If it is then you could focus on that bench. Emphasis should be on the unique artistic nature and a place to sit and chat. A really nice photo get the lighting just right. Supporting info that shows it’s public nature.
As someone based in the U.K. we have public plots mixed in with private housing but I understand there may be difficulties in the USA. It does look like a plot that is separate from those either side. I’m guessing the natural pond might have made building tricky. It looks more clearly defined along edges on satellite view but on streetview the side fencing appears missing. So although fenced and gated at front it looks like you can just walk round the sides.
I appreciate that the sign you are using is the only one there but it emphasises the danger. Phrases like small/micro instantly make it seem unimportant. So it needs to emphasise the positives. A nature park, a communal green space.
Don’t mention Pokémon Go
As it is provided by the local community could you approach them either for a proper sign at the entrance or better still an information board next the pond about the wildlife and perhaps history of the area. If you have something inside the park make a photosphere.
By some views, your proposed waypoint could interfere with the people who live across the street. And maybe more homes. You asked why your nomination keeps getting declined. This could be part of it.
In 2019, Niantic settled a U.S. class action lawsuit by saying they'd not put wayspots where they'd interfere with Single Family Residences. The lawsuit was filed by homeowners whose lives were turned upside down by a PokeMonGo stop or gym. Their driveways were blocked, gardens trampled, privacy invaded, loud noises at night, etc. From the settlement page 4, item f:
Niantic will add specific instructions to the current review form that Niantic’s user-reviewers use to evaluate new POI submissions that direct user-reviewers to increase scrutiny regarding any proposed POI that may be located on or within 40 meters of a private single-family residential property, and POI that appear to be located in neighborhood parks. At a minimum, such instructions will include directions for the user-reviewer to examine the proposed POI using a variety of sources, including but not limited to mapping services maintained by private companies such as Google Maps. After such review, Niantic will use CRE to avoid placing the POI on any property that appears to the reviewer to be a single-family residential property.
Sure, plenty of Wayspots are pretty close to houses. And no, the "current review form" has never included any such instructions. And yes, Niantic has defined PRP as ending at the street - different from their settlement.
So, with all the running in circles, some reviewers are more strict about it than others. I usually figure it's Niantic's business, not mine. We (nominators and reviewers) are not a party in that lawsuit. The settlement also included (page 4, item g):
Niantic agrees that it shall manually review a statistically significant percentage of new POI submissions via a Niantic employee or contractor for the principal purpose of trying to avoid POI that are more likely to lead to issues with nuisance or trespass.
I'm in agreement with this. Get that bench in focus, as it has stylized writing on the back and is far more welcoming than the sign.
And it will still be rejected for being a "generic bench".