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?
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

 * ''Wikipedians/Wikimedians, from the sign-up sheet. May be incomplete.


 * User:David Shankbone
 * User:DGG
 * User:Elipongo
 * User:Gosgood
 * User:Jeremyb
 * User:Jim.henderson
 * User:JoshuaZ
 * User:Lazulilasher
 * User:Messedrocker
 * User:Mitchazenia
 * User:Nbauman
 * User:Newyorkbrad
 * User:Nightscream
 * User:Pharos
 * User:Ragesoss
 * User:Rmrfstar
 * User:Scottandrewhutchins


 * ''Other guests


 * Bruce and other staff (and families) from WikiAnswers
 * Nicholas, President Emeritus of Free Culture @ Columbia and Wikipedia Takes Manhattan organizer
 * Samuel

How to get there
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)

Directions on NYC Subway
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, |Onnyturf's is a nice Google maps hack which shows the various subway lines overlaid on the New York City map.

Directions within PP
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)
 * Perhaps a Wikipedia banner/flag? JAF1970 (talk) 20:22, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * 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. Ab e g92 contribs 01:36, 17 August 2008 (UTC)
 * 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)
 * 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)

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)
 * 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)
 * 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)
 * 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. &mdash;Elipongo (Talk contribs) 01:45, 21 August 2008 (UTC)

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)

Agenda
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.

Likely

 * harej 19:03, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * David  Shankbone  19:24, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Little Man 19:24, 7 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Lazulilasher (talk) 19:32, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Scottandrewhutchins (talk) 19:54, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * &mdash;Elipongo (Talk contribs) 03:09, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Jeremyb (talk) 22:25, 8 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Becksguy (talk) 10:14, 10 August 2008 (UTC)
 * DGG (talk) 20:10, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Newyorkbrad (talk) 01:20, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Nightscream (talk) 02:18, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Rmrfstar (talk) 17:06, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Jim.henderson (talk) 23:35, 16 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Bruce Smith of WikiAnswers (talk) 12:31, 18 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Zsero (talk) 22:06, 18 August 2008 (UTC)
 * ragesoss (talk) 00:15, 19 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Nbauman (talk) 00:42, 19 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Mitch 32(UP) 00:45, 19 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Zanbabe
 * Pharos (talk) 14:47, 24 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Gosgood (talk) 17:45, 24 August 2008 (UTC) Very last minute, indeed, but with the damn thing nearly in my back yard, I'd be embarrassed if I weren't there.

Maybe
* Enigma  message 19:20, 7 August 2008 (UTC) moved to regrets 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)
 * TCari - friends from out of town will be here that weekend, not sure what their ETD is. TravellingCari  21:08, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Possibly. –Juliancolton Tropical Cyclone  20:19, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * JAF1970 - I might have film work. I'd love to go though. JAF1970 (talk) 20:21, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Invertzoo - I hope to be able to come, but I may be too busy.
 * Mblumber (talk)- I have something else going on but I'll try.
 * JoshuaZ (talk) 15:26, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Maybe. --Blue387 (talk) 11:06, 16 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I am not certain if I can swing it that day due to a previous commitment. If I can make it, I will let you know. Ecoleetage (talk) 03:34, 19 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Alheim (talk) 13:31, 19 August 2008 (UTC)

Regrets

 * I'm in Louisiana until the beginning of September. The day before this picnic, I'll be at Meetup/New Orleans. Raul654 (talk) 19:30, 7 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I'll be in Pittsburgh. Andre (talk) 19:14, 10 August 2008 (UTC)
 * It is unlikely for me to make it to Wikipedia meetup NYC on Sundays, even though I am from New Jersey. Plus, I am going to be leaving my area on the early morning of August 24th for Denver, Colorado. NHRHS2010 | Talk to me  20:27, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * In the Middle East until September 1, so no. --  tariq abjotu  22:12, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * School starts on the 27th, won't be in New York State.— Ryūlóng ( 竜龙 ) 22:17, 13 August 2008 (UTC)
 * School starts on 25th... - Penwhale &#124; Blast him / Follow his steps 01:01, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I will be returning from a wedding out of state that day. Very sorry. Daniel Case (talk) 01:38, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Will be back in Pittsburgh by then in preparation for the start of school. TML (talk) 01:39, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Am on vacation in Stockholm and return the evening of the 26th. — Robert Greer 09:46, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * I will be in California. michfan2123 (talk) 20:37, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Not likely. I'll be taking care of the family pet of relatives who are visiting from New York. Unless I win the lottery between now and August 2009, I won't be able to get up to New York until that point. ---DanTD (talk) 21:37, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * Shoreranger (talk) out of town
 * Sorry, I have two family events that day. Won't be able to make it. Hopefully I'll be there by the next meetup.  Enigma  message 16:26, 22 August 2008 (UTC)

Things to bring
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
 * I have an old ratty one that I can bring -- David  Shankbone  21:08, 14 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Juice with cups
 * Orange and Cranberry Lazulilasher (talk) 13:21, 15 August 2008 (UTC)


 * 2 bottles of cranberry with raspberry juice; cups (it comes mixed together as a single juice)
 * Jeremyb (talk) 17:19, 24 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Diet soda with cups
 * Diet Coke -- David  Shankbone  21:06, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * --Dadstocks (talk) 12:38, 18 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Regular soda with cups
 * --Dadstocks (talk) 12:38, 18 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Potato chips with paper bowls
 * -- David  Shankbone  21:05, 14 August 2008 (UTC)
 * --Dadstocks (talk) 12:38, 18 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Pretzels with paper bowls
 * --Dadstocks (talk) 12:38, 18 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Brownies (MMMmmmmm) with paper plates
 * Frisbee
 * --Nightscream (talk) 23:02, 21 August 2008 (UTC)


 * 6-foot long sandwich
 * --harej 23:47, 22 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Scrabble
 * -- Rmrfstar (talk) 14:55, 24 August 2008 (UTC)


 * Dried apricots with bare hands
 * --ragesoss (talk) 00:17, 19 August 2008 (UTC)


 * [Insert food item and delivery system here]
 * [Your name here]


 * A ball and a few other things to do.
 * -- Mitch 32(UP) 16:03, 24 August 2008 (UTC)