picnic at night?

September 4, 2006 10:50 AM

Anyone from Lawrence, KS know of good places (outdoors) where a small group of people can go (at night) to drink wine, smoke cigarettes, and not be bothered by police or other people? [fields? tops of buildings?]
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

Adults or underage?
posted by chef_boyardee at 10:57 AM on September 4, 2006

About half and half.
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel at 11:00 AM on September 4, 2006

You could go camping at Clinton Lake—my friends and I went out there in high school and weren't bothered by anyone.
posted by interrobang at 11:36 AM on September 4, 2006

If there are minors involved, you'll probably have to find someone's backyard. Preferably one with a privacy fence.
posted by pieoverdone at 11:37 AM on September 4, 2006

If there is anyone involved and it is drinking otuside we need to find someplace deserted because of open container laws. It is not a minor exclusive problem.
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel at 11:42 AM on September 4, 2006

There are also lots of isolated places to sit around in the woods by the river, especially on the North Lawrence side. Just walk down the bike path a ways and get off the trail at some point.
posted by interrobang at 12:04 PM on September 4, 2006

Camping at Clinton or Lonestar is probably your best bet if you don't have a backyard or a porch available. The problem with Lawrence (and many other college towns, I imagine) is that there are too many cops with no actual work to do driving around waiting to toss kids out of the more easily accessible parks and points in the city itself.
posted by hototogisu at 12:10 PM on September 4, 2006

Am I smelling another Lawrence meet-up ... I missed the last one (in KC).

Are all you guys in dorms? Every apartment/condo I've been into in Lawrence had a place where people can and do go out to drink and smoke. Anything not right on the street should keep you from being hassled unless you guys are being incredibly loud and obnoxious. Cops trying to give out their daily allotment of minor in possession laws only have to go to the frat bars along Mass and wait until the slew of 18 year olds leave. But as with every other place I've been to, using parks and the like for anything but little kids playing soccer is a big no-no.
posted by geoff. at 12:33 PM on September 4, 2006

We do have houses and apartments but looking for a change of p(l)ace. Away from other people and bright lights for a bit. Clinton Lake would be a good idea but is a bit too far out there.
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel at 12:47 PM on September 4, 2006

Keep in mind that what you are looking for is the same thing that many homeless and transient types already know about and frequent. Hanging out by the river at night isn't a good idea unless you have a big enough group.

If your willing to risk it you could probably get away with hanging out behind the endowment center or somewhere on west campus.
posted by tommunation at 6:06 PM on September 4, 2006

How small is your group?

I went out to Clinton Lake (overflow camping area) with a decent sized group of fellow college students, and the park ranger harassed us all night. Told us we couldn't have alcohol out there (not that he saw any), told us the campground was only for families and not parties, told us we were too noisy (we weren't that loud and it wasn't that late), etc.

I'd vote for a rooftop (worked for me), but that depends on whether you know anyone who has access to their building's roof. Anyone with a Mass. St. apartment?
posted by katieinshoes at 7:37 PM on September 4, 2006

About 5-10 people. Not really sure. I think we might have the night in a backyard because, if not for the people in the dorms, west campus would probably work. But now...meh.
posted by mustcatchmooseandsquirrel at 9:26 AM on September 5, 2006