Hello everyone. Being new here, I've been perusing the forums, and have noticed quite a number of other members from the Boston area looking for people to meet up with over the past month or two, but it doesn't seem like any group meetups have materialized, at least not publicly for the forum to see. So I figured to kickstart things by starting a thread to organize something, perhaps with an emphasis on introducing new people who haven't had a chance to do something like this due to the pandemic.

Let's make this happen! I don't need to be the organizer, but can be if needed. I would definitely recommend someone more senior than myself (ie, a Full Member or core community member) attend, at least to bless new folks with historical and experiential knowledge that could make for constructive conversation.

As for the meetup itself, since I suspect this will be the first meetup for some new members, this definitely shouldn't happen at some hardcore urbex spot, and should probably be a soft location in the Boston area, preferably interesting, but perhaps some place sufficiently ordinary that it won't make new folks nervous to attend. There are several abandoned locations where the grounds are publicly accessible and practically serve as parks. Although none of the ones that come to mind are in Boston proper, they'd all make safe and interesting places to meetup. If it needs to be T accessible, there are plenty of parks we could do this in.

About the elephant in the room - I myself am fully vaccinated, and suspect most people would feel comfortable being at least partially vaxxed before attending any kind of group meeting - feel free to chime in if that's a factor for you. If everyone attending is fully vaccinated without symptoms, and we're meeting outside + distanced, mask usage probably isn't necessary to strictly enforce.

As for the When: Since not everyone visits this forum regularly, we should probably put this a few weeks out. I say May 29th. But it can happen another time if nobody wants to do it then. This also doesn't have to be the only meetup.

Lastly, if people want to move planning to a more private messaging platform to make this more discrete, I'm more than happy to do that. Just send me a private message.

So let's get to it! Who's interested? Post your requirements to be able to attend the meetup and we'll work together to make this work.

I'm down for some kind of MA meet up! I'm also fully vaccinated and agree that gathering at a less crazy spot is a better idea, at least to begin with. Personally I'm busy the weekend of May 29 but don't let that stop people if that's a good date. June in general is a good month for me

In principle I'm interested, but will be out of town that week including the 29th.

One option for location might be the bear cages at Franklin Park - Squeaky clean and legal, trivial to find, close to the T, still looks kind of metal, might catch a nice fireworks show if it goes past sundown. Personally not opposed to somewhere further West though as I moved to Wormtown

Thanks for the replies everyone. Sounds like we should move this back to the following weekend, so let's say June 5th!

After chatting with a few folks, we think Medfield State Hospital could be a good spot due to the grounds being publicly accessible. Let me know if that's too far for anyone.

I would love to attend. Medfield State Hospital sounds great and isn't too far from me. The date June 5th, works for me as its on a weekend. Around what time will the meet be, noon maybe?

Also, I will make sure to be vaccinated before then.

I would also love to attend and I am already fully vaccinated. Medfield State Hospital sounds like a good location. June 5th also works for me because it is on a weekend. About what time are you thinking?

Interested too! June 5 at Medfield works

I'm working that day, but all the luck the everyone! If you run into the grounds-keeper, I've heard he's a nice guy with tons to say about the history of the place.

Hey everyone,

Great to see so much positive response.

How does noon-3pm sound for everyone? This way if someone can only come at 1 or 2pm they still have time to say hi.

I’ll be there!!

Alrighty. I'm locking this in.

Date: Saturday, June 5th 2021
Time: 12pm (suggested end time is 3PM, feel free to leave sooner/later)
Where: Medfield State Hospital

In the beginning, we can wait in front of the parking lot area so we're easily identifiable to others, but we'll move somewhere more fun shortly after.

Lastly, if weather winds up sucking, we can move this to the following day.

Hello everyone. I'm here! I'm in the front lot where the buses are parked. Look for the guy wearing a black beret 😎

Where’s everyone at? I came at around 12:40 because I was a bit busy this morning

@nickaalex

We're still here. We were in the front but moved right around the time you came. If you're still there, we'll come over.

I’m still here, I just spent half an hour walking around this place and it’s pretty neat! I’ll move my car to the front where the buses are. It’s a grey Hyundai Accent and I’m in black shorts and blue tshirt.

3 of us just spent some time walking around too, gonna go near the front where the little parking spot is by the closed gate/ smaller houses for maybe 30min

@SomeoneSomewhere

Ok. We're heading over there now. Hope we can catch you 😊

And the meetup was a great success! Thank you to everyone for coming. Let's plan another very soon!