I submitted an entrance to a walking trail along the River Dee which has multiple entrances to access it but no entrance signs at all. I selected the entrance directly adjacent to the Bridge of Dee as it has steps down from the bridge to the path which acts as a nice anchor for the entrance.
The submission wasn’t accepted by reviewers so I decided to appeal as I had previously appealed a similar entrance with no sign on the opposite side of the same river and it was accepted at appeal and approved.
I included relevant supporting information in my submission including multiple photos clearly showing the footpath going in both directions from thsi stairway and the bridge is clearly visible as is the river. I also included the following clarification by Niantic (Parks & Outdoor Recreation - #2) that clearly states parks can be submitted even without a sign as they are great places to explore, socialise and exercise. Whilst i accept this is not a park - it is a scenic riverside walking trail and meets all of the same criteria so it seems to me the same clarification would apply to this submission and Niantic clearly agreed with this in my previous appeal (pictured below).
I have previously had to post on this forum with another appeal which was rejected and then overturned by Niantic staff when posted on this forum for a park entrance without a sign (also pictured below).
The appeal decision for this submission says I need to include a sign to have a better chance of approval. This is totally inconsistent both with this clarification and previous appeal decisions.
Given all of the supporting information provided which I feel clearly proves the value of this submission and it being eligible to become a wayspot as it encourages exercise and exploration. I have also provided examples of very similar submissions being accepted at appeal. I would kindly ask for a member of staff to look at this appeal again and consider overturning this decision.
Your accepted nomination show better foto which people can tell that its entrance. My personal opinion, the rejected photo show stairs which seems like it can be taken anywhere along the trail.
Personally i have doubt whether its really the entrance or no
Hello,
There will always be judgement calls and as we are all human there will be some variability. This is most likely to occur when something is on the edge of acceptability. And i think this wayspot falls into that category.
Official set and named/numbered trails are acceptable with the markers being anchors.
If I have read this correctly this isn’t in that category? In Scotland there is usually a sign denoting that it is a specific route.
This appears to be a casual path through an admittedly lovely area. It is the equivalent of paths through a more formal park albeit amongst trees rather than grass.
I think I would have rated this towards rejection.
Did you check whether the area is a council maintained recreation space? If it is, with a link, then without a sign the entrance to the recreation space could still be considered for the area.
It is best to be clear if the nomination is for the path or for the recreational space.
It will be interesting to see the action of the appeal was correct.
In an ideal world every walking route would have a nice clear entrance but it is the hidden gems like this that people don’t know about and are often missed. IMO they are the ones in most need of a wayspot so people know they are there.
I can assure you that this stairway is the best and most accessible entrance to the path at this end of the trail - the photos clearly show its location in relation to the bridge and that the path goes off in either direction from this stairway. With all of that in mind I felt this was the best anchor point for the entrance off of the bridge. You can doubt this all you want but I wouldn’t submit it if it was not the entrance.
It is close to the entrance, but it isn’t at all clear that this is a trail.
I think it would help a lot to show evidence that this is a trail that goes somewhere . It isn’t showing on google maps, streetview or aerial images. At best, it is a riverside path that goes as far as the next bridge.
I am not the one rejecting your nomination. But some people are known to submit anything as wayspot because they think the more the merrier (i am not pointing any finger). I am telling you what some people might think. You are free to improve your nomination so that people’s doubt can lessen.
May e you have some of these lined up?
Please do a better photo for the Goals stop.
Also it looks like a seven-a-side pitch at the end that could be submitted separately. Now the summer and the cricket season is upon us a cricket pitch could be possible.
The picnic tables I have seen I’m not clear if it is outdoor seating for the bar or a distinct area where players gather before/after games. If it’s for the bar then no if it’s the later yes and be clear about it.
The pavillion bar is of course eligible.
I have submitted the Five-A-Side Pitches, Pavillion Entrance Sign and Bubble Football which has all been accepted.
I have submitted the picnic area and it is in the queue.
I wasn’t aware the end of the pitches was different but if you think that would also be eligible I am happy to submit it but i suspect it would just get duplicated with the Five-A-Side pitches.
I have already submitted the cricket pitch just up from the area and it has been accepted. The wayspot was moved in voting to the very edge of the field away from the cricket pitch. I felt the move was a bit pedantic from reviewers as its now a fair bit away from the field of play for cricket but given the instructions for submissions to clear the field of play i figured this would be tricky to correct and it is still reasonable close.
Thanks for having a look at the area - i have been working hard to improve the area as you can hopefully see. It is a bit disappointing to be thrown in by some people here as just trying to submit anything. The walking trail submitted here is a lovely walk and IMO is more encouraging of exercise and exploration than many “easy approvals”. Niantic have stated they don’t require signs if a submission clearly encourages the criteria and i really don’t see how this doesn’t easily meet that standard. Having at least one wayspot to highlight and represent a lovely walking path is surely more valuable than having 25 wayspots for every little arrow on a walking trail (to be clear I am not stating they should not be eligible and are not worthwhile wayspots as they are) which are generally “easy approvals”. I appreciate people don’t know what I have been doing but that’s exactly why assumptions should not be made to just lump people in and assume the worst. It comes across as pretty disrespectful and makes it hard for newer people to engage in discussions here if they will instantly be assumed to just be trying their luck. Surely if someone cares enough to engage in this forum the they should be afforded that initial respect rather than judgement. I have a thick skin and can defend myself on something like this when I think a decision is genuinely incorrect (although won’t be engaging in any kind of petty squabbles over this). Others may not be so willing and as a result the wayfarer map loses out. I do appreciate the majority of people here are helpful and genuinely want to help but sadly it is often the few that overshadow the many.
I think this appeal decision is wrong and should be overturned. That is why I have posted it here. If i thought i could improve the submission i would re-submit it. IMO it is perfectly fine as it is, holds more value as a wayspot than many others and shouldn’t have been rejected simply for not having a sign which is the sole reason given for the appeal rejection.
Glad some of those have been done.
In some places every single football pitch would be submitted. But in the U.K. the 5 a side tends to be considered as 1 place. However as the end pitch is clearly different - checked their website and it’s 8 a side pitch.
It will have a pitch number ( I think they names for each as well) make sure to draw out that difference.
And you have done well to get a cricket pitch I have found them difficult as the only time it looks really like a sports field is when a game is in progress.
Thanks for your comments about responses.
We all need to be aware of how our messages might be received.
