There's actually an Android app that will help you experiment with how different types of throws affect catch rate! And yes, curveballs are more effective than anything you can do other than excellent throws and golden razzberries. Here's a link to the app, if you want to try it: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joshuazierhut.www.raidcatchratetool
There has been a lot of talk recently about OSM influencing nest placement. Bruce Russell Park is marked as a park on osm, however it doesn't keep track of when it was marked so that only helps marginally.