Connecting People, Parks and ... Pokémon
That’s right! Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District is a virtual hotbed of Pokémon Go activity! Whether you’re venturing to the Tualatin Hills Nature Center to find a rare Flareon, frequenting one of 12 Poke Stops at the HMT Complex or simply collecting bats and Weedles in a local park, we’ve got some training tips to keep you safe and successful in your quest to catch ‘em all.
Be mindful of your surroundings
Watch out for that tree! Wait … we may have gotten our mid-2000’s characters mixed up, but the idea is the same. Move to the side of trails and pathways to stake out a Poke Stop with a lure, or even to do battle. Navigating the world through your phone’s camera can be treacherous, so be sure to look up and take stock of terrain, hazards like cars (or trees) and even other people before you chase after that Jigglypuff.
Speaking of looking up, there’s a lot to see! Your phone will vibrate when a Pokémon is near…so why not take a look around and enjoy the scenery? THPRD’s parks and trails are home to all kinds of real live critters too!
Respect private property
Don’t forget that many of THPRD’s parks and trails are right next to private homes and businesses. Just because there’s an Electrabuzz with sweet CP just across a park neighbor’s fence does not mean you can venture in. Take the opportunity to find a nearby bench or picnic area, use an incense and rake in the Charmanders.
Park rules apply to Poké trainers too
A critical part of training to become a Pokémon Master is learning to respect and appreciate the world around you. That’s what park rules are for too! Remember there is no smoking in any THPRD park, campus or facility, and while we know after dark is prime Haunter-catching time, park hours are generally dawn to dusk. Finally, don’t leave trash, pamphlets stickers or the like laying around. We’re pretty sure Pokémon are just as turned off by litter as we are.
Play, share and discover!
THPRD is home to 95 parks with active recreational amenities, nearly 70 miles of trails, and 1,500 acres of wildlife and wetland areas. You’ll find a high concentration grass-type Pokémon like Caterpie in fields, water-types like Horsea near streams, and flying types like Spearows all over. There’s a wealth of nature to discover while you’re on the hunt and we’d love to hear about it. Snap a photo and post it on Instagram #THPRD or post it on our Facebook wall. Tell us where you’re finding rare monsters. And, if you do get curious about the natural world and real-live Pokémon that inhabit your park district, just think of us non-virtual Poké Masters.
Happy hunting!