By Terry Hannum

Contributing writer

It’s Labor Day weekend, the traditional close of the summer holiday. Many people choose to celebrate the weekend with a picnic.

The "perfect" picnic spots can provide different features for the many different people who wish to enjoy the location. While some would like serene quiet in a wooded setting, others prefer the beach. A picnic area with playgrounds and sporting fields might be a parent’s first pick, and hiking or nature trails would be others’ top choice.

So what is the perfect picnic spot? Everyone seems to agree that picnic tables and grills in place are key criteria in building a list of great picnic places, and from there, this region has myriad fun and enchanting parks to bring the basket, blanket and a plan for fun.

Tables, grills, a playground, recreational water access, playing fields, trails, wooded areas, pavilions and restrooms and being handicapped-friendly are all part of the following favorite local parks. These elements make the trip easier to plan because there is so much to do for every age, interest and ability level _ no one will be left out of having a great time. For many, the following parks are a bit of a drive but well worth the travel to have the feeling of really getting away from it all without leaving the region.

Outside the village of Walton in Delaware County, Launt Pond is situated in the Bear Spring Mountain recreational area. The park is off state Route 206 and offers everyone one of the criteria listed above in addition to camping, extensive horse and mountain bike trails, fishing and swimming. Many types of boat rentals are available to set sail on Launt Pond. Contact the park at 865-6989 for more information on the facilities.

Gilbert Lake State Park is a popular park for picnics and includes all of the key ingredients for a family picnic, in addition to a 1.3-mile self-guided nature trail and the Civilian Conservation Corps History Museum. There are many entertainment programs offered that attract larger crowds, so it is recommended to call the park office at 432-2114 for details of events.

Chenango Valley State Park in Chenango Forks is a wooded setting that is perfect for escaping the hot summer days in forested glades. Boat rentals, a toddler play area and swimming opportunities await visitors here. It also has fire rings for making marshmallow treats.

Oquaga Creek State Park in Bainbridge is yet another place to spend the day exploring between bites to eat. Summer employee Lindsay Evans said that many people come from the city just to enjoy the tranquil setting. Information about the park can be found by calling 467-4160.

If you are thinking about a picnic lunch trip but need to explore someplace different from a more typical park, Schoharie County offers the George Landis Arboretum in Esperance.

Executive Director Tom O’Connor described the setting as a perfect destination for families, especially those with children, because of the wide-open spaces. O’Connor explained that many visitors bring a lunch and paint or play an instrument in the serene setting. In the 548-acre park, there are more than eight miles of hiking trails, four ponds, a world-class collection of trees and the majestic treasure of old-growth forest groves. Picnic tables are scattered at intervals for a peaceful day of relaxation away from the busyness of daily life.

The Arboretum hosts many activities with the annual fall plant sale in mid-September just in time for fall planting. Call the center at (518) 875-6935 or visit the Arboretum’s website at http://www.landisarboretum.org/ to get a peek at all that is offered at this picnic location.

Another educational picnic site is the Rogers Environmental Education Center in Sherburne. It highlights North American birds, displayed in the visitors center, nature and hiking trails within the 600-acre preserve.

Other places to have a picnic lunch and learn some history lessons during the visit are the Hanford Mills Museum in East Meredith, the Old Stone Fort Museum in Schoharie and The Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown. All of these historical parks have picnic tables available for those who bring a basket lunch. Before eating, picnickers can tour the grounds and get the feeling of stepping back in time for the afternoon. The lessons learned can provide for great meal conversations as they sit down amid a part of local history.

Now that the location is chosen, there is a small matter of packing a picnic basket. People favor a variety of different items but most everyone seems to repeat certain key ingredients: watermelon, iced tea, cookies, chips and burgers or hot dogs. Sandwiches are a staple while some opt for take-out fried chicken. Pickles, potato salad, pretzels, macaroni salad and chips and salsa are usually found on most tables but some step into simple gourmet fare with local cheeses, homemade breads and cider or wine to make the day very special.

Some advice: If you get too tied up with food preparation, the day might turn into more of a chore. Keep it basic and easy to eat, stop and pick up fast food if a menu takes too much time away from getting to the location.

Then again, some picnic destinations don’t even need you to bring a picnic basket. Take for example the Fly Creek Cider Mill or any of the local wineries and breweries that offer first-class sustenance to savor. These places have picnic tables and restful places to perch or play.

Before you leave for a great picnic destination, don’t forget to pack a small first aid kit, wet wipes, matches (if you are planning to grill), insect repellent, a jug of drinking water, sunscreen, table cloth, sweatshirt or light coat and a recreation bag with a Frisbee, balls, book and a sturdy blanket. If you bring a sound system, remember to keep its noise out of the range of others who might enjoy the quiet.

Young children may need a change of clothes if you picnic near a stream or pond where mud and water are a real attraction for them to play in, swimsuit or not!

Perhaps the greatest thing about going on a picnic is being able to sit down and enjoy a meal. Fast-paced, full-scheduled daily life offers little time for plain and simple conversation. Text messages, e-mails and answering machines take the place of speaking to anyone, even those whom you would enjoy conversing with.

A picnic afternoon is a powerful place to connect with someone who seems distant. Picnics are listed as one of the most memorable things to do on a date, and picnics are a good remedy for stress. The parks suggested are but a small list of possibilities. Check out local chamber of commerce offices, parks and recreation departments and the state park system for hundreds of ideas. Even the playground down the street can be instantly transformed into a picnic setting with the addition of a blanket and lunch.

The main point is to get out and enjoy an afternoon picnic; you will consider it the best meal of all time!