I have noticed a few people talk about working in their community to get community artifacts/infrastructure etc created.
Fitness Stations
Playgrounds/equipment
Walking trails.
I am wondering what people have done. How they went about it. How long it might take.
I just love the idea of Niantic driving community to create wider community benefits like these.
I badgered my community to put a picnic table in and update the playground. Once done I nominated and both Waypoints accepted which was awesome (though not in my game)… Took a year mind. And no time did I mention Niantic or the game I played. I focused on community needs and benefits.
Just think it would be neat if we can come up with a wide list of options, how people did it and give other players some helpful info to work in their communities…
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Unfortunately, in my country, initiative is most often punishable.
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It sounds like they went to their local government asking for these POIs to be put in, most likely in areas that don’t have them or not a lot. I know here in the US, people can go to their local government to petition for certain things to be added to certain neighborhoods, and then sometimes these get discussed at a meeting for the city development committee or even the city council. If there’s enough support from the community and local government, it may get approved.
I personally would never mention that I want more Wayspots if there was something that could end up being a POI to local government. I’d look more at the needs of the community, not the wants of gamers.
For instance, there’s a large green space between a couple of the apartment buildings I live near, and I just think that would be a good place to put in a dog park or a picnic area; there’s a park nearby with plenty of opportunities for activity, but I just think addicting something to this area would make it more used by all and make the area a more appealing place to live. I don’t think the city owns the land though, as it may be owned by one of the apartment management companies, so I don’t really want to try to go through them to add something nice to the neighborhood.
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These are exactly the prerequisites IMO.
In the end, it is like any project. Accrue participants and resources towards a common interest. That takes a community and coordination.
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For me, I’m in the UK.
I’ve contacted my local authority (it’ll be on your bins, council tax bill etc. if you’re not sure) and said about things I think would be useful for them to spend on to help the area.
If you’re in a “new” estate (Americans think gated community with no gates) you may have a management company (Americans - HOA but they don’t care how tall your grass is etc.) that manage parks and other facilities in your area. You should have a contact for them and you’re paying them to manage the area so they should be open to doing some improvements with this money.
No harm in reaching out to the contacts there.
If that fails, reach out to your local MP with your ideas either via email or through their meetings. If you do email your MP, remember to include your full address so that they know you’re in their constituency.
Fun note, my previous MP blocked my email, but for a non Wayfarer related reason (we disagreed on a lot and she did not want to give a proper response to my points).
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I want to thumbs up the post and then laugh at the MP
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I was talking to a couple of people last night and they mentioned they got their local council to put in a shaded picnic table at a park. And got a couple of simple park/reserve name signs (not the warning signs that list what you cannot do) put up.
and they pointed out the Little Free Libraries are always a go. But I have to say that is not a cheap option!
One thing that came up about new developments was go early. Start to go up badger the council AND badger the development company (nicely badger) with questions about community features, health features, nature features etc etc including commitment to early inclusion not late… And to use their socials for that - not just direct comms…
Again never mention Niantic games and always focus on benefits for the wider community.