Yea place is totally burned. I don't exactly feel safe for me and my car there anymore. Might be the suburbain in me but still. The cops did not let anyone in at like 8:30. I would have to agree its time to find either a different lot around Calhoun or new place all together. Sad to see this stuff happen.
It was my first time at the meet today and all I have to say, there was a lot of hoodlems hanging in the area. I only parked one space away from everyone else and I was sorta paranoid about it.
Long Lake Park is my suggestion. There is a lake for gazing at the eye candy, a large lot, and if that's too full, there's numerous other lots/pavilions to park in. http://goo.gl/maps/rgu7B Closer view:
Oh that other big lot on the top is available too and there's another little lot above my label on the bottom right.. Lotsa options, and it's easy to get to from 694 or 35W.
I am pretty close to Long Lake Park too. I would definitely be in favor of that. There won't be nearly the amount of people to look at though.
Not super enthused about going even further north, outside of the loop. You're talking an hour for people to get there dealing with the tail end of rush hour. More for me. ...But this one has generally been a north/northwest metro location and I'd sooner only be able to make it every now and then and find a nice, positive vibe as opposed to coming out more often and spending all my time looking over my shoulder and/or monitoring my car for hoodrat bs. Concerns about my car aside, I don't want to be associated with what I've seen there the last couple times I showed up.
Oh and pete, it's literally...like 1 minute outside 'the loop'. I know it's a bit of a hike, but IMO it's part of the price to play. I live in little canada... I've toned down my attendance to things a bit, but when I was at my busiest, most weeks i would drive to riced knickers on monday, calhoun on tuesday, bloomington sonic on wednesday, bloomington perkins on thursday, friday i'd drive all over with the uni-tards, saturday c and c days i drive to chaska.... I bought the car at 93k 1.5 yrs ago..I'm at 118k. I'm averaging almost 1,400 a month on the subaru...and that's with having a second car I drive to work and on errands. Not trying to dog you out at all, just saying i completely understand the driving thing for events.
It's about the same distance as OC Roseville. No matter where we pick, someone is going to have to drive further.
hah! Based on what math? Of course you're always far from someone, that doesn't mean I'm going to host a weekly meet in Rochester and expect Minneapolis people to do the drive, because I happen to live closer to Rochester than anyone else in the TC. That's actually about the same travel time I'm looking at btw. My house to Rochester is about the same as my house to something outside the northern edge of the loop in rush hour on a weekday. But, like I said, while I'm not likely to make an hour+ drive very often for a weekly... I'd sooner do that than 45 minutes to get somewhere I don't really want to be. I would urge some consideration for something not-in-bumble**** if possible. If not, better to keep up the quality than choose a location based on convenience alone.
On that note, there are some great candidates "just barely" outside the south/southeast edge of the loop. I'm guessing nobody wants to do that...
At this rate I'll never be going to another meet again. Lol. Oh well I don't own a Subaru anymore anyways. :grin:
I live over here Surly. The difference from going to OC Roseville and Long Lake park is less then 5 Minutes. So really, it isn't that big of a difference. There are also other lakes in MPLS.
actually it started at lake Calhoun as a southwest meet...was never a north meet till some people started going to the rosville oc in the winters. we used to go to jj's club house or someones garage in the winter.
Long Lake park is much closer to the main highways than Calhoun. I would take easy access and a good lot over a bit longer drive any day.
We should find a place with a roof(eating/hanging out), playground for kids, basketball, tennis courts and path for jogging around the lake
But Ben... it's SOOOO far from my house it may result in me spending more time in my Subaru... and you know I HATE THAT ISH!
How come the people who traditionally say this here invariably end up living within 15 minutes of the proposed destination? I agree though. I like Long Lake over Calhoun at the very least.
I didn't suggest it. I am just saying it is a good location. It would easily be a 30 minute drive for me.
Just avoid 694 between Hwy 36 and 35W when you go that way Steve. It is parking lot. It's better to go 94/280/35W or 94/35E/Hwy 36/35W to get there
Do we all agree Calhoun is dead for now? If so, I vote we close this thread so people don't see it and think it's still on. Then create a new one to solicit locations, starting off with Long Lake as top contender and see if anyone else has input. I think a fair number of people stopped following this one for various reasons and we might get some more good ideas.
I am for it! Maybe call it "Tuesday Meets" or something generic until we have a location that all the kids can play nice at. Maybe this Tuesday (July 2nd) we try Long Lake vs waiting on other location.... in the mean time we can talk about the following week. I just suggest this since it is already mid-week this week.
Yeah, I'm good with that. If some other good ideas come along we can "try" them before settling in. Or if Long Lake is just awesomesauce in a can after the first week, that's fine too.
I think Long Lake would be awesome. Only downside is the construction on 694 this summer (both east and west). Coming up 35 would be best. I'm out of town this week, but if this is at Long Lake I can probably make it most weeks because it is only about 10 min away for me.
All this from people I rarely see at Calhoun (except herpaderp, maybe Spunky and lubN) Here is my thoughts (even tho I know no one cares): once the temp gets above 85... The government subsidized housing tends not to have AC so their residents find other ways to cool down... AKA the public beaches... We had this issue on the few real hot days last year... But on normal days it was fine... I will continue to grill at Calhoun on my free Tuesdays or stay home and drink beer
What about the other lakes around Calhoun? There are other parking lots very similar to what Calhoun used to be. Long lake is too far north for a Minneapolis meet.
We can try long lake next week, but I say we keep exploring our options. Many great lakes here in Minnesota. Long lake is nice but I say we try any of these after before making a final decision: Lone lake park in Hopkins Starring Lake, Riley or Miller park in Eden Praire Thomas Lake in Eagan Edgewater park in Woodbury Mendokota Park in Mendota Heights Just suggestions