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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden continues PokéMondays through October

Posted at 12:18 PM, Sep 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-09 12:18:59-04

HENRICO, Va. — So many people are having fun playing Pokémon Go at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden that PokéMondays have been extended through the end of October.

Over 2,000 people attended the first Pokémon Go night at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in July and since then the Garden has been scheduling events around the popular game.

The game gets players out into the world to catch Pokémon, or pocket monsters, using their cellphones.

There are over 20 Pokéstops and two gyms at the Garden, and its water and grassland ecosystem attracts many Pokémon, including some rare ones, and the summer events around the popular game have increased visitation and annual memberships.

Kids stroll through the Fountain area, hunting Pokemon. PHOTO: Lewis Ginter

Kids stroll through the Fountain area, hunting Pokemon. PHOTO: Lewis Ginter

The free event on Labor Day, sponsored by Genworth, brought a record-breaking 11,485 out to the Garden, and pokéhunting was a huge part of those numbers.

“For August, in particular, we’ve nearly doubled our typical Monday visitation over the rolling average from the past three years,” said Holland. “Pokémon Go is a great way for us to introduce new audiences to the Garden and for garden members to have a reason to visit more often.”

“We’re passionate about connecting people and plants, including older teenagers and young adults who we’ve spotted playing with both their friends and their parents,” she added. “It’s been inspiring to see so many people of all ages enjoying the garden this summer.”

Every Monday through the end of October, there will be lures from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., which helps attract even more Pokémon.

Some of the more common Pokémon found at Lewis Ginter includes; Caterpie, Krabby, Magikarp, Paras, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Poliwag, Rattata, Spearow, Venonat, and Weedle.

There are consistently dratini, magikarp and exeggute as well — all three of those evolve into some fierce monsters.

The Garden writes that guest have also found some more uncommon Pokémon, like:

  • Pikachu (#025)
  • Clefairy (# 035)
  • Vulpix (# 037)
  • Jigglypuff (#039)
  • Oddish (# 043)
  • Gloom (# 044)
  • Venomoth (# 049)
  • Psyduck (#54)
  • Golduck (# 055)
  • Growlithe (# 058)
  • Poliwhirl (# 061)
  • Abra (# 063)
  • Bellsprout (#069)
  • Tentacruel (# 073)
  • Slowpoke (# 079)
  • Slowbro (# 080)
  • Gastly (# 092)
  • Voltorb (# 100)
  • Exeggcute (# 102)
  • Horsea (# 116)
  • Seadra (# 117)
  • Goldeen (# 118)
  • Seaking (# 119)
  • Scyther (# 123)
  • Jynx (# 124)
  • Pinsir (# 127)
  •  Tauros (# 128)
  • Magikarp (#129)
  • Eevee (# 133)
  • Vaporeon (# 134)
  • Dratini (# 147)
  • Dragonair (# 148)

** Please note this list is not comprehensive, nor is meant as a guarantee that you will find any of the listed Pokémon during a visit to the Garden. Some of the monsters come out the more people there are playing. 

Events like this are helping organizations around the world raise money for their programs. Take for instance the British zoos, which have raised over $106,000 (US dollars conversion) by hosting nightime Pokemon events.

Regular Admission: $13/Adults, $11/Seniors 55+, $8/Children 3-12. Children under 3 free. FREE for Members. Click here for online tickets, or purchase at the door. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

If you want to plan your strategy, the Garden put together ahandy map!

Map credit: Lewis Ginter

Map credit: Lewis Ginter

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