Pokemon Go Players Address Colonie Town Board on Unconfirmed Ban
Petitioners Speak Out Against Potential Ban
COLONIE, N.Y. – Pokemon Go players have been petitioning against a potential ban of the mobile game at The Crossings Park of Colonie for about a month. On Thursday evening, they finally had a chance to speak to the Town Board and let the members know how they feel.
Community Speaks Out
"We’re hoping that this meeting will mark the beginning of meaningful dialogue between Town Officials and the Pokemon Go community," said Spencer Moon, before thanking the Board.
As the admin of a local Pokemon Go group chat on Discord, Moon told NEWS10 back in November that Tom Breslin, the Parks and Rec coordinator, confirmed the rumors of a ban. NEWS10 has not received official confirmation. Since then, Moon’s Change.org petition has reached more than 1,200 signatures and his community came prepared to tell the Town why.
Importance of the Game
"For people who actually are not athletic, this is one of those things where kids can actually go out and learn how to cooperate and strategize with people, other kids. It’s probably important to have this outlet," described Steven Young.
Town Officials Respond
Breslin also responded to NEWS10 last month saying that The Crossings is a passive park and not meant for organized gaming pursuits. Supervisor Peter Crummey backed up his words at the meeting:
"There are no 5Ks left at The Crossings. There’s misunderstandings about what’s happening here. There are no walks anymore. It’s all been moved. We redeveloped the Town park," explained Crummey. "As you know already, Parks and Rec have offered other opportunities. We can continue to talk about that. No one on this board is trying to destroy Pokemon, okay?"
Supervisor’s Personal Connection
Crummey also showed off his Generation I Pokemon card collection at the end of public comment. One of his favorites is Wigglytuff. He has also been invited to play Pokemon Go at The Crossings with Moon and the rest of the community.
Conclusion
The meeting marked a step in the right direction for the Pokemon Go community, who hope to continue playing the game at The Crossings Park. The Town Board’s response was encouraging, with Supervisor Crummey expressing a willingness to continue dialogue and find a solution.
FAQs
Q: Is a Pokemon Go ban confirmed?
A: No, there has been no official confirmation from the Town Board or Parks and Rec department.
Q: Why are Pokemon Go players concerned about the ban?
A: Players are concerned that the ban would limit their ability to play the game and socialize with other players.
Q: What did the Town Board say about the ban?
A: Supervisor Crummey and Parks and Rec coordinator Tom Breslin both expressed that the park is not meant for organized gaming pursuits and that there are other opportunities available.
Q: What is the next step for the Pokemon Go community?
A: The community will continue to work with the Town Board to find a solution that allows them to play the game at The Crossings Park.
