Watch out for tiny creatures hiding around downtown Squamish.
At least 16 Pokémon can now be found along the Squamish Heritage Walk with stops on Cleveland Avenue and surrounding streets in Squamish’s downtown core.
“They are at every plaque on the walking tour,” said Bianca Peters, president of the Squamish Historical Society, which put together the self-guided heritage walk. Locations include Hotel Squamish, Pearls Value & Vintage and Anna’s Interiors.
In Pokémon Go, a cellphone app that was released this summer, players use GPS to locate, capture, battle and train Pokémon. The virtual creatures appear on the same screen as if they were in the same real-world location as the player.
The goal is to find a complete Pokédex, but it can be difficult because some are hiding in locations that are tough to find.
Pokémon can also be spotted at landmarks around Squamish, including a Psyduck – which releases psychic powers when its headaches become unbearable – at the top of the Stawamus Chief.
Peters, who is also with the Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association, is expecting the popularity of the game to cause more people to stop by downtown Squamish.
The app has been downloaded around 500 million times worldwide and is particularly popular in B.C.
“Having Pokémon in downtown Squamish shows that people online are talking about coming here. This is why they are appearing,” she said. “We expect more people to stop by once the word gets out.”
