Pokémon can be found just about anywhere, including at the Gulf Coast Media office in Foley.

PHOTO BY CLIFF MCCOLLUM

Extended hours, more business

I think it’s a good idea to extend park hours and lots of businesses downtown would benefit from the park staying open later.”

Foley City Councilman Ralph Hellmich

At the July 18 Foley City Council work session, the council decided informally to change the hours of Heritage Park in downtown Foley for Pokémon Go players.

Councilman Ralph Hellmich brought up the possibility of extended hours at the council work session.

“With all of this Pokémon craziness, it has kind of put a bind in regards to our parks closing at a certain time,” he said.

City of Foley’s Recreation Director David Thompson said in addition to Heritage Park, there are a few Pokémon found at the other parks, like in front of the pool at Griffin Park. However, Heritage Park is the main park for Pokémon Go players in the city of Foley because of all the monuments. Thompson said Heritage Park has 11 stops for players.

“I think it’s a good idea to extend park hours and lots of businesses downtown would benefit from the park staying open later,” said Hellmich.

Currently the park is closed at dark, but the city will extend the hours to midnight. Heritage Park will be the only park with extended hours.

Foley Police Chief David Wilson agreed that midnight was the time the police department had discussed closing Heritage Park as well.

Hellmich also mentioned this is a great way to get people downtown.

“Right now, we don’t know how long this craze is going to last; it might last a while and we’re trying to get people down there,” he said. “I think this is a great idea.”

Councilman Charlie Ebert has played Pokémon Go in Heritage Park many times and said many people are taking advantage of Heritage Park having so many stops.

“There were 30 or 40 people out there one night when I was out there, and that was a light evening compared to what I’ve seen,” he said. “The game makes you search out features in the park. There was someone out there Friday night and it was the first time they’d set foot in that park. They’ve lived in the general area their entire life and hadn’t been there until that night.”

Foley’s council agreed informally to extend the hours of Heritage Park, but Thompson is expected to bring this item back to the July 1 work session for a formal vote.