National Mall Hosting Pokémon Go Hunts

Washington, D.C. — With the insanely popular Pokémon Go sending players out to public spaces of every shape and size, there's likely no better playground than the nation's capital.

The National Park Service has created a special event this weekend to bring players together and learn a little about the National Mall at the "Catch the Mall Pokémon Hunt."

A National Park ranger/Pokémon trainer will guide gamers to the "hidden treasures of the National Mall," according to the event details. "Not only will you potentially find that Charizard you've been hunting for, but you'll discover just what makes some of our nation's most iconic landmarks so remarkable!"

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Pokémon Go is a wildly popular augmented reality game that has players search the physical world to capture virtual creatures. It has quickly become the most popular video game on the planet, reportedly exceeding 8 million downloads and counting since its release last week.

Coupled with the frenzy are concerns about safety. The game is essentially a real-world scavenger hunt, with "Pokéstops" and "gyms" at landmarks like libraries, parks and police stations.

More at Patch:

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• Teen Arrested on Assault Charges During Pokémon Go Game
• 2 Pokemon Go Players Fall From Encinitas Cliff: Report

Roaming the Mall is a tempting offer for some Pokémon Go players chased from other spots, including the Holocaust Memorial Museum and Arlington National Cemetery.

There will be three "hunting zones," with assigned park rangers at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday:

• The National Mall near the Smithsonian Metro Stop
• The plaza in front of the Lincoln Memorial
• The plaza in front of the Jefferson Memorial (next to the Tidal Basin)

"While you're chasing virtual monsters to add to your collection, take a look around at the beauty of these places. Breathe in the fresh air. Enjoy the history," said National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis. "Get out and explore. That's why we're here."

The problem for the National Mall and other parks? They're facing competition. "I may attend if my plans for the zoo go awry," one Pokémon gamer noted on Facebook.