Duke Behnke

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

NEENAH - City officials have established a dialogue with Niantic, maker of the location-based augmented reality game Pokemon Go, in hopes that the company will lessen the concentration of PokeStops at Kimberly Point Park.

PokeStops are real-world landmarks, monuments or memorials where players, using smartphones, can collect in-game items to increase their chances of catching Pokemon. Kimberly Point has eight PokeStops, and players have flocked to the 3½-acre park in great numbers, trampling the grass, leaving litter and at times disturbing the neighborhood.

Neenah officials sought changes from Niantic last year, but the San Francisco-based software developer failed to respond to repeated emails. This year Niantic responded to the city's emails within 24 hours.

Mayor Dean Kaufert said city officials have scheduled a conference call with Niantic for Wednesday afternoon.

"We're going to see if we can convince them to downgrade the stop, not eliminate it, just downgrade it," Kaufert told USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Kaufert said Niantic removed some PokeStops last year, including one at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

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Mike Kading, Neenah's parks and recreation director, is encouraged by the company's newfound willingness to talk about the city's concerns. He would like Niantic to set a limit on the number of PokeStops within a specific radius.

"If they did that, I think they would resolve most of their conflicts nationwide or even internationally," Kading said.

Kimberly Point Park has been a hot spot for players since Pokemon Go debuted in July. The popularity of the game waned during the winter months, but on Feb. 16, Pokemon Go released a new batch of characters.

The Generation 2 release brought out players in droves. It coincided with a week of unseasonably warm weather that melted snow and thawed frozen ground. The heavy foot traffic turned the park lawn into a muddy mess. City crews had aerated and reseeded the lawn last fall to repair damage done by Pokemon Go players.

"It was just that perfect storm, with the new release of characters and great weather," Kading said.

Upon realizing the damage, Kaufert ordered crews to fence the area to prevent further harm. He said the number of people in the park was estimated at 350 several days after the Gen 2 release.

"The park was not built for that many people," he said.

Gayle Kagen of Appleton visits Kimberly Point twice a week to enjoy the beauty of the park and to play Pokemon Go.

"The beauty has definitely changed with the fence," Kagen said Tuesday. "If there were a walkway, maybe the people would stay off the grass. I'm always amazed at how many people are down here."

Terry Cleveland of Neenah said he plays Pokemon Go from his car. He understands why the city put up the fence.

"Everything's worn out," he said. "There's nothing but mud right now."

Kading said the fence will stay in place until the lawn can recover.

In addition to the fence, Kaufert is considering other means to improve the condition and safety of the park, if the conversations with Niantic prove unsuccessful.

He said the city could:

Strengthen the police presence to strictly enforce the park's 10 p.m. closing and the bans on alcohol and littering. "Last year the number of individuals who were in the park after 10 p.m. caused a lot of heartburn for the adjacent neighborhood," Kaufert said.

Prohibit the use of tents and tent awnings.

Restrict parking on the south side of the park.

Place garbage cans in the park. Neenah typically has a "carry in, carry out" policy for garbage in parks.

Some residents have encouraged Neenah to follow Milwaukee County's lead in requiring Niantic and other software companies to obtain a permit before they could incorporate park locations into games. The revenue from the permits could offset the cost of added park maintenance.

City Attorney Jim Godlewski said he has examined the requirement but thinks it could be difficult to enforce if a company were based outside the area, as Niantic is.

"To enforce a judgment, we would have to do that in California court," he said. "If they are international, that makes it even more difficult."

Kaufert also has concerns with a permit system.

"If we set up a permit similar to Milwaukee County and the company decides to pay for the permit, whether it be $1,000 or $2,000, then we have legitimized the use of that park for that venture," Kaufert said.

Duke Behnke: 920-993-7176, or dbehnke@postcrescent.com; on Twitter @DukeBehnke