Wikipedia:Meetup/NYC/August 2008

The 8th New York City Meetup event was an informal picnic on August 24, 2008 from about 2:00 to 8:00 PM. The picnic took place at Prospect Park. We met by the picnic house.

What, Where, When, and How?

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As the second annual WikiNYC Picnic (as this has been called), the goal was to have a relaxing, enjoyable meeting of Wikipedia editors (others were welcome as well) in one of the many great parks in New York City. As a stark contrast to the previous four meetups, this was not a Wikimedia NYC meeting, although we were still welcome to talk business if we feel like it. (I don't believe we did).

The location for this picnic was Prospect Park in Brooklyn.

Attendees of record

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Wikipedians/Wikimedians, from the sign-up sheet. May be incomplete.
Other guests

Pictures

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Extended content

How to get there

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Really, how do you get to Prospect Park? I'd assume that you'd cross the East River by means of the Brooklyn Bridge, or, if you're feeling fancy, you could take one of those ferries. Someone write something here; I live in Jersey so I am of no help. --harej 05:41, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Directions on NYC Subway

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To get to Prospect Park via the subway, take 2 or 3 to Grand Army Plaza, exit the station on walk towards the triumphal arch. Prospect Park will be visible to the right of the Brooklyn Public Library. Alternatively, one can take the Q (no B on weekends) to Prospect Park, which will deposit you on the Eastern Edge of the Park, near the old site of Ebbets Field. The F train to 15th Street-Prospect Park deposits you on the northwest side of the park, the previous stop at 7th Avenue two blocks away from the middle of the north end of the park.

Also, be sure to check the MTA's weekend service advisories before departure, as often the subway changes service over the weekends.

As well, [1] is a nice Google maps hack which shows the various subway lines overlaid on the New York City map.

Directions within PP

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The Long Meadow is a big place--we need to mark something more exactly on a map. DGG (talk) 20:11, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Perhaps a Wikipedia banner/flag? JAF1970 (talk) 20:22, 13 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Agreed - I was at Central Park for a previous one, but i didn't know exactly where you all were meeting, so I missed it. Abeg92contribs 01:36, 17 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
Here is a link to an interactive map of Prospect Park http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/interactive_map, we just need to pick a general location --Dadstocks (talk) 12:42, 18 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That map doesn't include clearly show the IND F train stop at 7th Avenue station with an exit at 8th Avenue and 9th Street, which might be most convenient for some, once a specific location is selected. Shoreranger (talk)
Of the various subway options above, which leaves one closest to the actual picnic location within the park? Newyorkbrad (talk) 21:59, 18 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It looks like the two best places to meet are the Nethermead http://www.prospectpark.org/nethermead or Long Meadow http://www.prospectpark.org/longmeadow. --Dadstocks (talk) 19:32, 19 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

A good place to meet is near the Pagoda http://www.prospectpark.org/visit/places/pagoda on the Neathermead. The Neathermead is smaller than the Longmeadow.--Dadstocks (talk) 16:58, 20 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
That is a good place to meet, but that has also made it very popular. It would work for a rallying point, but I suspect this group would have to migrate elsewhere for the actual picnicing. Shoreranger (talk)
Still ain't decided whether it's to be north, west, or east part of the park? If north, our obvious landmark is Anadale Arch, from IRT. If west, Picnic House is pretty good an IND. If east, I guess it's Music Pagoda and definitely BMT. But which? Jim.henderson (talk) 17:16, 20 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
I was just wandering around the park today. The Picnic house is pretty easy to find because there are nice signs and maps in the park, there are picnic tables, barbecue pits, and public restrooms. It also has nice places to lock up bicycles. —Elipongo (Talk contribs) 01:45, 21 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

All righty, if that's the place then the instructions from the southbound F train are, from my memory of a place I last saw this spring, get off at the front of the train at Seventh Avenue, exit, and walk uphill (east) into the park, pass the war memorial, to the Park Drive. Turn left (north) and look out for the Picnic House to your right. Walk almost up to it, then look around the right (south) side for a bunch of Wikinerds. Possibly our earliest scouts will snag a table or three; otherwise we'll just be on the grass. This is the first draft only; kindly edit for geographic errors before inserting on the Project Page but if we tried Nethermede I can find my way but wouldn't be able to write the first draft for people who've never seen the park. Jim.henderson (talk) 03:10, 21 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Agenda

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If you plan on doing something at the picnic, be sure to make a note of it. Keep in mind that we will likely be in the great outdoors, free from cumbersome 120-volt electrical outlets.

Sign Up

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Likely

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Maybe

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*Enigma message 19:20, 7 August 2008 (UTC) moved to regrets[reply]

Not likely. Friends' ETD is cutting it close but I might be able to make it in time. I'll recognise enough of the likelys from last time to spot you. If I don't make it, have a wonderful time and I'll see you next time. TravellingCari 05:31, 24 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Regrets

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Things to bring

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Everyone is responsible for bringing their own sitting device (blanket, chair). Could people sign up to bring the following:

  • Large blanket as central place for food
  • Juice with cups
  • 2 bottles of cranberry with raspberry juice; cups (it comes mixed together as a single juice)
  • Diet soda with cups
  • Regular soda with cups
  • Potato chips with paper bowls
  • Pretzels with paper bowls
  • Brownies (MMMmmmmm) with paper plates
  • Frisbee
  • 6-foot long sandwich
  • Dried apricots with bare hands
--ragesoss (talk) 00:17, 19 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]
  • [Insert food item and delivery system here]
  • [Your name here]
  • A ball and a few other things to do.