The weather is starting to change into the perfect season for enjoying the outdoors. Sure- you could enjoy it by having your friends over for a backyard BBQ, but why not do something a little bit more adventurous- while not having to stray too far from home? Instead of throwing a backyard fiesta, invite all of your friends over to your local park. It’s a great way to get together by creating a fun destination and while supporting your local parks system and your community’s efforts to great a green space your city. Make it potluck picnic style- but make sure to keep it green. Bring reusable plastic drinkware (fun colored outdoor-friendly cups are easy to find at drugstores and The Dollar Store for a great deal), plates, and silverware. Cloth napkins even add a fun old-school eco touch to the event.

 The spring and summer make picnics even more fun because of the fresh produce you can find at the now-opening seasonal farmers markets. In only a few short weeks they will be packed with the kind of ingredients that will truly make a picnic. Pick up some tomatoes and make a tomato mozzarella salad with fresh basil to showcase the best in farmers markets.

Don’t forget to pull the whole thing together with some local brews and wines!

Some great Atlanta parks include:

Grant Park (try and check out the zoo if you have time!)

Inman Park

Candler Park

Piedmont Park (a great place to bring the dogs, too!)

If you are looking to travel just a bit further, carpool with your friends and head to Sweetwater Creek State Park. They have covered picnic shelters that you can reserve online and their visitor’s center is platinum LEED certified!

To find the parks nearest you check out any of the below sites for help:

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/ - the National Park Services listing

http://www.stateparks.com/usa.html - a comprehensive listing of State Parks in the US.