The Gardens at Lake Merritt is a special place for Niantic, the maker of “Pokemon Go” and “Ingress.” The patch of land, which is home to bonsai trees, Mediterranean flora and several Rhododendron species, was an early testing ground for the developer’s hit mobile titles.

“We started the game here when we were starting in alpha,” said Yennie Solheim Fuller, civic and social impact manager for Niantic.

It’s a place that company founder and CEO John Hanke frequented when he lived in the area, according to Fuller. Occasionally, Niantic employees volunteer to weed the gardens. The relationship has been symbiotic with the enclosure providing inspiration for the developers and the site benefiting from a slew of Pokestops and Ingress Portals that draw players to a place they normally wouldn’t visit.

“Every single garden is making a push for young people, but the question for us is how do you get Millennials into a public garden?” asked Tora Rocha, Oakland public works parks supervisor. “Gaming and having ‘Pokemon Go’ and ‘Ingress’ in here has changed everything for us. It gets a younger generation to know we exist.”

Those young people will have another reason to visit the Gardens at Lake Merritt when volunteers turn the place into a nighttime wonderland for the seventh annual Autumn Lights Festival. The three-day event, which runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 18-20, is sponsored by Niantic and will feature activities and events connected to their games.

Fuller said Niantic is installing a piece the game-maker brought last year. Titled “Redacted Portal,” it lights up, makes sounds and reacts to players taking part in “Ingress.” Despite its high-tech programming, the art piece fits seamlessly with other works at the festival. Patrons will see works that use light to highlight the gardens different zones. Some pieces have even appeared at Burning Man, she said.

The festival also features live music and performances by fire artists. Food vendors including Curry Up Now, Nahua Pizza and Halal Bites of Chicago will be on hand. Wine and beer will also be available.

As for “Pokemon Go,” the Niantic manager said, “We’re going to have some in-game elements.” She hinted at other surprises, but declined to give details

“It’s worth it for players to check it out,” Fuller said. “We’ll have temporary game location. It’ll show up for ‘Pokemon Go.’ There might be other special things. We have some really awesome posters.”

With the release of the fourth generation of “Pokemon Go” characters, it could be a hotbed for those looking to get a jump on catching the new pocket monsters.

She said members of the Niantic team will also be around the crowd. That kind of relationship between a city park and a private company is something that Rocha wants to see more of in her department.

“I know that the gardens was one of the inspirations for ‘Ingress’ and those augmented reality games,” she said. “It’s an honor to have Niantic partner with us. I’d like to see more gaming and tech-age industry partner with public gardens and get others to have a connection to nature.”

This is the second year Niantic is sponsoring the Autumn Lights Festival. The event raises money the Gardens at Lake Merritt and helps keep it public to all, Rocha said. According to the website, funds will finance a new welcome plaza. Other plans for the garden include a second gated entrance and fencing to cover the seven-acre site.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 event day for adults, $7 advance/$10 event day for kids ages 6-17 (children 5 and under get in free). Go to www.autumnlightsoakland.com for tickets and more information.