Any ideas for a Cuddle Fest in the greater Philly and Central Jersey areas in 2025? I can help organize if needed. Meet and greet.
I know a great spot at the Taylor wildlife preserve in Cinnaminson, NJ.
http://www.taylorwildlifepreserve.org/
Center city Philadelphia please 🙏🏾
@chrissy123xo The spot above is on the river line, (NJ Transit) so accessible from NY, Philly, and Central PA via public train and light rail.
👍love it, for me without a car
Monkey needs a hug let's start planning for spring!
I mean, almost anywhere in Philly would be accessible via public transit. And I’d be excited to help plan a meet and greet there.
What time of year should we target? Spring?
Spring. Early April?
The only problem about this place is no centralized area like a picnic area like we have had at other events. Transit access is not a problem around Philly thanks to the extensive subway and regional rail network. My township (Cheltenham) has lots of parks and open space and we have 5 regional rail stations within our borders. https://www.cheltenhamtownship.org/pview.aspx?id=2646&catid=26#gsc.tab=0
After late April should be fine for outdoor. The weather should become warmer!
You underestimate me, @Spud424 ! I’ve attended cuddle comfort Meet and Greets and have secured three sites for them previously. So I’ve given a lot of thought to the infrastructure conducive to this kind of gathering.
The photo (above) is on private property on Taylors Lane in Cinnaminson, NJ. A mental health professional who is supportive of platonic cuddling installed the yurt (with lots of volunteers assisting). She sees clients and hosts therapeutic retreats there.
There is ample space for parking. And even though public transit stops close by, the space is well enough off the beaten path that we’d be able to gather in relative privacy.
There are grounds to spread out on if the weather cooperates and shelter in case it doesn’t. There is electricity and a suitable deck from which you might DJ, should that be your continued wish.
And, before Mr. V. inquires, there is a permanent structure, not pictured, adjacent to the yurt, which houses a highly commodious necessary.
In sum, I am open to other ideas, but this place has a lot to offer and, imo, should not be dismissed out of hand.
🐵
I think I agree with @MaleKoala_nyc that the relative warmth of late April (average high temps in the 70s) would be worth waiting a couple more weeks for. There are two weekends between Easter and Mothers day this year.
Can we target one of those? What do you say, @Randuke ?
I also love Bartram’s Garden in southwest Philly. Entry to the garden is free, and the historic grounds are worth seeing! And the toilet situation within BG is top tier. There’s also a sweet pavilion (that belongs to the parks department) right next door. It’s been years since I hosted an event there. Might need to check in on accessibility and electricity at the pavilion. But the gardens have their own music, truly.
Bartram’s Garden is not super accessible via public transit (if my information is still accurate.) But it’s reasonably close to Center City, (Philadelphia) and the airport, fwiw. A taxi or an uber from either would be reasonable for most travelers. And there’s a pedestrian / bike route that’s worth checking out for those who enjoy navigating cities in that way.
https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/bartrams-garden/
Ooooooh a YURT!! And campground stuff. So much fun!!! Excited for this PA enthusiasm!!!
😊
Thank you @MonkeyNeedsAHug for clarifying. I think both suggestions you mentioned would be great.
I would certainly attend if I can.
@MonkeyNeedsAHug i'm in, maybe a good camping prospect there ? good company, good food, campfire, cuddle, great recipe for a weekend getaway. @MaleKoala_nyc - you can ride with me buddy, i can drop you at mass transit if your not staying the weekend...
If it’s in central NJ count me in. If it’s in Philly I’ll pass.
Great idea. Definitely interested!
Yes Monkey! 🐒 The two weekends between Easter on April 20th and mother's Day ok. Either one. Location is the main challenge. Suggestions? Bucks County PA nice too. Along the Delaware River close to NJ and Pa.
I guess the NJ Location will have better camping options than the Philly one.
Thx @happybear
Lower Bucks County is equidistant from central New Jersey and Center City Philadelphia right on the PA/NJ border. There are several parks such as Tyler state park, Playwicki, Neshaminy State park with picnic areas. These parks are not walkable from public transit as these are suburban areas but the are mostly all within a 10 minute drive of a train station so people taking public transit could arrange rides from people driving in or take uber/lyft.
Lower Bucks County Great! State Parks in the area too. Anyone have more information on this?
@Randuke yes, there are. These are the ones that I mentioned in my post, but I’m sure there are more. I’m not thinking of.
Neshaminy StatePark: https://g.co/kgs/LiKQdTH
Tyler State Park: https://g.co/kgs/efFGTjH
Playwicki Park: https://g.co/kgs/hGE7ff7
I'm interested! 👀 following
Bumping this to bring it back to the top…how about may? May 11 is Mother’s Day and may 24 is mem day weekend so why don’t we target May 3 or 17. Thoughts?
May 3 works better for me. I have another event on the 17th. Do we need to set up a committee to do? I'm over an hour and a quarter minimum from the parks mentioned. Xanadrian lives closer and knows the area.
Hey hey all y’all East Coasters!!
@MonkeyNeedsAHug posted this in the MEGA Meet & Greet Thread so I thought I would add it here.
MAYBE this is turning into TWO different events!!! 😊😊😊
To me, the Philly / NJ meet and greet is a certainty. A critical mass has expressed interest. We are targeting either of the two weekends between (Catholic) Easter and Mothers Day. And we have at least two suitable locations identified. It’s too early, imo, to get an accurate sense of Who will definitely come if it’s at the Philly location (or the NJ location) Who will definitely come if it’s on 4/26 (or 4/27, or 5/3, or 5/4) Who is willing to help cover the expense of securing either spot. I’m happy to secure either location (and a backup) as I did for the Harrisburg Meet and Greet. And neither seems likely to be claimed prior to 3/15. So, we still have time to get more info re: above. Anyone who wishes to co-host, organize, or promote this meet and greet, please reach out to me directly! Same goes for anyone who has input they’d like to share, even if they don’t want to help organize. So, if you’re like, “I’d definitely come to either spot, but I’m allergic to bees” or “I’d come to the Philly spot, but I prefer the May dates, (etc.) feel free to message me. 🐒
To me, the Philly / NJ meet and greet is a certainty. A critical mass has expressed interest. We are targeting either of the two weekends between (Catholic) Easter and Mothers Day. And we have at least two suitable locations identified.
It’s too early, imo, to get an accurate sense of
Who will definitely come if it’s at the Philly location (or the NJ location) Who will definitely come if it’s on 4/26 (or 4/27, or 5/3, or 5/4) Who is willing to help cover the expense of securing either spot. I’m happy to secure either location (and a backup) as I did for the Harrisburg Meet and Greet. And neither seems likely to be claimed prior to 3/15. So, we still have time to get more info re: above.
Anyone who wishes to co-host, organize, or promote this meet and greet, please reach out to me directly!
Same goes for anyone who has input they’d like to share, even if they don’t want to help organize. So, if you’re like, “I’d definitely come to either spot, but I’m allergic to bees” or “I’d come to the Philly spot, but I prefer the May dates, (etc.) feel free to message me.
🐒
Monkey I'll PM you about PA/NJ event. Let me check my calendar.