There is a building that until a couple months ago was an elementary school. Then the school district converted it into its administration offices instead. No children attend school there anymore. The playground and athletic fields there are now open to the public and I’d like to submit them as waypoints. Would they be eligible since it is no longer a school? If so, would the fact that the building is still listed as the school in Google and Apple Maps be an issue?
Yes
Also Yes.
This ones going to be a fight, if you have a news article or website link that talks about the school being closed and repurposed then I would absolutely include that. Otherwise reviewers will look at the map, see it’s a school and reject it.
You might have to wait for it to get rejected and burn appeals on it…
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I dont think its this clear cut… historically there have been removals at school properties that didnt contain any schools.
I’ve gotten multiple nominations approved at a site that was once a Catholic school, where I was able to provide a link to an article about the school closing in 2008 for supporting info. I haven’t had any particular issues with it, speaking about the history of the school, the convent, the building’s later use as a community center.
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I believe that in this case, the photo of your suggestion will say it all; that is, the photo has to be 100% clear and objective, and be careful that the photo doesn’t look like it was taken with AI, since the change hasn’t been made to Maps yet.
Hello and welcome @Kaishen82
As has been already been said, demonstrating that this is no longer a school and that owners ( local government?) have repurposed is key.
I think this would be a good example to use the new web submission route rather than the through the game.
Remember to have the mindset of someone who doesn’t know the situation.
The web submission will allow up to 5 images to support your nomination. This will give you the chance to use some of the images to show perhaps changed signage on the building or the sports areas. And to compensate for the fact streetview will not be helpful.
The supplementary text can include a clear and concise account as to what the changes are leading to current situation. Links to official websites showing the change.
Do seek further advice as it is likely to be tricky.
Edit: it’s not always clear where the best place is to post your question, so I am moving this to Nomination Support so we can help with this submission.
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Just wanted to come back to this thread and provide an update. I submitted the wayspot using the web portal so I could include additional supporting pics, including the building’s new signage indicating its use as an administration building instead of a school. In the supporting info section I included a link to the school district website which stated the school had been converted to an admin building, and which no longer listed the former school in the list of the district’s schools.
The nomination was rejected by reviewers due to being located at an educational institution. I appealed the rejection and just a moment ago got an email stating that upon review of the appeal, the way spot has been accepted.
I really appreciate everyone’s help! That was my first successful wayspot submission and I already have a couple more ideas.
Getting Google Maps to update it has been a much bigger (and still unsuccessful) ordeal.
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Thanks for coming back to share your great news 
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