City of Sudbury misunderstood the nature of Pokemon Go gathering

The City of Greater Sudbury is clarifying its stance on group gatherings on municipal properties, and says people playing Pokemon Go are welcome to meet at public parks without a permit.

This is in response to a CBC News story abouta meet-up that was planned for Pokemon Go players last Friday at Memorial Park.

The gathering, which was publicized on Facebook, was expected to have more than 40 attendees.

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Ron Henderson, the city's general manager of citizen and leisure services, says the city misunderstood details of Friday's gathering.

"We're just putting out [there] that an organized event could require a permit. But, now we understand it better," he said.

"It seemed to be more of a social gathering of people playing the game. Now that we understand that, we recognize that a permit for that kind of thing is not required. That's not the nature of what ourparks are for."

Henderson says there is also a difference between social gatherings and organized events, which require permits for insurance purposes and ifa portion of the park needs to be rented out.

"At that point in the day, it could have been an organized event with vendors [and] music," he said.

"There's a difference if there's a socialgathering at the park - which is currently happening now - versus having an organized event with invitations asking for exclusive use of a section of a park."

Henderson added that the city has also met with members of Sudbury's Pokemon Go community to host a bigger event at Memorial Park later this year.

That event, which is looking to have vendors and music, will require a permit.

"Both sides are here to make this work," he said. "We encourage the activities in the park as part of this game. We're also here to work with this group to work the organized event they want to run at a future date."