Request for Removal - Welcome to Rockville Sign

Wayspot Appeals
1

There is very little chance that this will make it to the eyes of the person reviewing the removal request, but I want to share anyway.

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There is a sign on the corner of Darnestown Rd and Glen Mill Road that reads “Welcome to Rockville” referring to Rockville, Maryland. The sign itself is covered by overgrown trees and is very hard to find when driving by without knowing exactly where the way point is. Even then, the sign has deteriorated.

Oh, where’s a picture for reference? Well, you see, this sign is only visible when driving slowly (<15 mph) on a road where everyone drive 50 m.p.h. The sidewalk has deteriorated and is covered by overgrown shrubs, eliminating pedestrian access. If the town decided tomorrow to clean that up, it still leaves less than a foot of grass between any pedestrians and the five lanes of road with people going 50 m.p.h. Yes, the speed limit is 40 (which is absurd) but there are no speed cameras or cops, so people do what they want. I cannot safely slow down and pull off to get a picture, and there is no way I am going to cross the highway to get to this way point.

This should not be a way point. The only way you will access it is if you spin it while waiting at a red light in your vehicle. It is no a good place to socialize or exercise. It is just a run down sign in a really dangerous spot.

That’s not an option for reporting a way point. Where is the “This never should have been approved” option when reporting a way point, Niantic?

I reported it as “Obstructs emergency operations” because there are so many accidents involving pedestrians in this block, and it’s the most similar to my complaint. Otherwise, I am going to report it as being removed since the shrubs are devouring the sign and the sidewalk is in such bad shape anyway.

2

Street view is from September 2022 and doesn’t show any immediate issues. Satellite view similarly doesn’t show any access issues. Surely there’s somewhere you can stand nearby that could show us how much things have changed in the space of 22 months?

Also, is “Carl Henn Mellinium Trail Marker” affected by this access issue as well, given that it’s only a few metres from the wayspot you’re reporting?

3

To me, it doesn’t look that bad. But I’m not “on ground” there, I’m only looking at it on Street View and Satellite. That sidewalk is offset from the road (whereas only a short distance away it’s literally adjacent and a vehicle could curb hop and be on the sidewalk :roll_eyes:). That type of street is almost “aggressively unsafe” for pedestrians. Sure, you have a sidewalk, but absolutely nothing besides a low curb to keep vehicles away from pedestrians. At least the other side has more room and trees to help prevent runaway vehicles…

Once your report is denied (as I assume it will be) you can post a screenshot of the rejection email and request for an appeal. Another option (quite a bit of extra work) is to contact the city and request they ask Niantic or remove it.

I would like to remind you that nobody is obligated to interact with a Wayspot - if you feel unsafe there, simply avoid interacting. Players are expected to be aware of their surroundings.

4

I think the city have up servicing it in winter 2024.

I can park my car on the highway with my flashers on and look for the markers. I had no idea there were multiple affected. Thanks for the heads up.

5

Thank you for the detailed and very human feedback. :slight_smile: Aggressively unsafe is exactly the issue. Thank you for seeing reason

6

Hi, @msladymittens! We took another look at the Wayspot in question and decided that it does not meet our criteria for removal at this time.