Pokéstop Spotlight: Centennial Park

Picture of Centennial Park by Jackie Novak

Location 

Centennial Park is located in Munster, Indiana, just south of 45th on Calumet Ave.
It's approximately 3 miles south of 80/94 and 3 miles north of Route 30. The is a great location. It is in close proximity to the restaurants and shopping area on Calumet Ave. and on Indianapolis Blvd. Centennial is right across the street from the veterans memorial.

About the Park

The entire park is around a lake with a playground and amphitheater. There is also a golf course on top of the hill. There are events held at this park every so often including concerts, wine/beer tastings and more. The park also allows catch and release fishing around the lake.

Pokémon around the park include but are not limited to Staryu, Magikarp, Dratini, Exeggcute, Spearow, Poliwag, Poliwhirl, Goldeen, Psyduck, Weedle, and Scyther. There is also rumor that someone caught a Gyarados in the lake.

Pokémon Go at the park

The park contains 9 Pokéstops and 1 gym. The Veterans Memorial across the street contains 4 Pokéstops. The golf course also has a special offer for all trainers on the hunt for Pokémon. For $10 you and one other person can rent a golf cart and drive around the golf course from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. This reminds me of the safari zones in the games.

It is a fairly popular place to go in the area. I was here this past Friday and at about 3PM there were approximately 60 people walking around the lake playing Pokémon Go. The people are friendly and more than willing to talk Pokémon (even if you are on team valor). Everyone I met at the park had their own tips and tricks to best make use of their time. I will give you a few ways to best use the park to the fullest advantage. Hopefully one of these will be right for you or give you an idea as to make your own Go plan.

The Centennial Circuit (Red)

Both outlets of the Lake have bridges over them. Only one is marked on the map

This path shown in red is the most common way to walk the park. It utilizes 8 of the parks 9 Pokéstops and gives the greatest distance to walk. This way you can stock up on Pokéballs and hatch your eggs in the shortest amount of time, This only skips the one stop by the entrance sign of the park. If you do not want to walk as far you can do the Simple Centennial Circuit shown in blue. This cuts out the 2 Pokéstops to the Northeast of the park. It is less distance but keeps you closer to the lake. You are more likely to catch the water type Pokémon when you are closer to the lake.

The Pokéstop Circuit (Yellow)

This path hits every Pokéstop in Centennial Park and the Veterans Memorial Park. This gives you the greatest amount of distance but is also the most time consuming. It require you to cross Calumet Ave. twice per circuit and you aren't near the lake for half the time. You will, however, go past 13 Pokéstops per lap. This gives potential for receiving 39 Pokéballs or more every lap. I have personally never done this Circuit do to my lack of time and battery life. I would recommend that if you are extremely low on Pokéballs that you run this at least once. It is no good finding Pokémon if you can't catch them.

The Short Gym Circuit (Purple)

This isn't as long as the Pokéstop Circuit but it hits more Pokéstops than the Centennial Circuit. This allow you to hit 9 Pokéstops and the gym without having to go around the entire lake. The only downside is having to cross Calumet Ave.
twice a lap. This is the shortest circuit distance wise. It may
 cost some time because of the traffic lights.

Playground Hot Spot (Pink Stop)

The playground is a perfect place to go if you have little ones to look after. While they play on the Playground you can keep one eye on them and the other one on the lookout for Pokémon. If you have a Lure Module available you can use it at the playground. The Pokémon will come to you. There are benches around the playground to sit and a shelter nearby to take a break out of the sun.

Amphitheater Hot Spot (Red Stop)

The Amphitheater is marked by the red outline. This is a favorite spot to sit next to the lake and farm water types such as Magikarp, Goldeen, Dratini, and others. If you don't want to walk or just need a 30 min break you can sit by the water and activate a Lure Module. The Pokémon will come to you and you get a little rest.

Togetherness Sculpture Hot Spot (Green Stop)

This spot marked by the greed outline is another spot that is said to be good for sitting around and catching Pokémon. This has been said to be the place to be to find lots of Magikarp. I am going to try this the next time I am at the park. Since it takes 101 Magikarp to evolve a Gyarados sitting here for a 30 min Lure Module wouldn't hurt. The view from this stop isn't bad either.


I hope that this has given you guys a new spot to hang out and I hope to see you here sometime. Until then go outside, play safe, and catch 'em all.