Pack a Picnic, Pick a Park

Whether your winters are unrelenting onslaughts of frozen precipitation and plummeting temperatures or just opportunities for the grass to fade temporarily brown, you surely know the unadulterated bliss that comes from realizing the earth's axis is again tilting sunward, bringing with it extended days, balmy nights, and the lushness of the growing season. It's these wished-for months – however brief – that compel folks to abandon their captive homes and venture out into a world of wind-rustled trees, light, and motion.

Helping the cause, cities around the nation ready their municipal parks, preparing them for an eager citizenry intent on play and release. Typically, the period running from Memorial Day to Labor Day provides a focus for these outdoor pursuits, and dedicated greenspaces ably accommodate everything from shriek-laden games of tag to sun-soaked interludes enlivened by the plotlines of trashy novels.

Food, too, is a major component of the outdoor experience, and charcoal-grilled steaks, burgers, and brats are practically requisite in such circumstances. However, mouthwatering fried chicken and cool, creamy potato salad are worthy substitutes in the heat, and even an impromptu assemblage of purchased charcuterie, cheeses, and fruit is that much better when shared in the open air.

Everyone has a favored spot for spreading out a lazy day picnic – it's an easy solution in familiar places. If, on the other hand, you happen to be vacationing or traveling in a city you don't know well, a little insider advice proves helpful. Thus, our suggestions for public places that lend themselves to outdoor repasts.

The Southwest is known for its low humidity and abundant sunny days – perfect criteria for spring fun – and Arizona offers two stellar locales for making the most of the climate. Just south of Phoenix are Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Beach Park. The latter, a long-lived city park, got a new lease on life with the building of the former in 1999; together, they offer countless opportunities for recreation, including boating, fishing, running, and biking. A boisterous water playground lets kids cool off as they frolic, and a packed events calendar presents everything from concerts and festivals to sports. An assortment of picnic tables includes ones that must be reserved in advance and some that are available on a first come, first served basis.