I live just a couple of blocks from Central Park and agree with my fellow New Yorkers that Bryant Park is probably the most convenient place to meet up. Close to Grand Central station and Times Square it's easy to find for people coming in from out of town. It has tons of chairs and tables since I presume that it won't be very cozy to sit on a lawn in October. We could pinpoint exactly on what side of the lawn to meet whereas Central Park locations are a little harder.
Nevertheless I have created a Google map showing Bryant Park as well as 3 locations in Central Park and a possible rain venue. Everybody, please take a look and let me know if you have any suggestions and I'll add them to the map:
Map of possible meeting places
For Steve and out-of-towners, once you're in New York, a great service to find your way around NYC by subway and bus is
Hopstop; also works via phone or text message.
Finally, you could maybe post a
broadtexter widget for us; that way you could notify everybody via text message in case of any changes.
Both services are free!
Looking forward to meeting you and Erin!