Brian,
There are clubs a lot closer than that to you. Here is the closest one:

GLASTONBURY AERO MODELERS
026 WOODHAVEN ROAD
GLASTONBURY CT 06033
Phone: 860/659-2457

In fact, a search of the AMA club locator shows 15 clubs within 25 miles from you. You can see the entire results of that search here: [link]http://www.modelaircraft.org/ClubZipLocator.aspx?z=06033+&d=25[/link]

The biggest problem with doing it yourself and just going out to a big parking lot is that you are opening up yourself for some serious liability. If you were to hit somebody and injure them, or damage property, you could be liable for a huge lawsuit. The AMA's insurance company just recently paid out over $1,000,000 in damages to somebody that was injured when they were hit by a plane. And that payment from the AMA was made AFTER the persons home owners insurance made their payments. While it's next to impossible to completely remove any risks of something happening flying at a club with safety measures in place greatly reduces the risk of something happening.

Ken