With fall setting in, now is the time to take advantage of sunny afternoons by enjoying a picnic. At Charlotte’s Blueberry Park in Tacoma dessert is provided for free. Taking an hour out of your afternoon has never been more delicious.

Take along a bucket to collect blueberries, and a cooler to store lunch while you are picking berries. Remember, packing a picnic doesn’t have to be a complicated effort in your kitchen. There are plenty of delis and shops in the neighborhood with picnic-friendly meals ready to order.

The Safeway deli has a Labor Day promotion running through the weekend that is picnic perfect – 8 pieces of fried chicken, a 3 lb. tub of potato salad, macaroni salad or baked beans as well as a 2 liter of Coca Cola for only $8.99. Fred Meyer offers an 8 piece chicken meal for $5.99 from their deli. If you are in the mood for a sandwich, try Mama Sandwich on 72nd St. They offer a sandwich special for $3.99.

Call a local restaurant or bar & grill for take-out. The Summit Pub on Canyon Rd. takes orders over the phone and offers large portions for very affordable prices. With an extensive menu including burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads there isn’t much missing. They even offer cans of pop to-go.

With a large sign posted at the corner of 72nd & “D” Street, finding the 20 acre park is simple. Parking is on-street, but there is no shortage with a park this size. The fence running along the street has many access points, so no parking spot is too far from an entrance. The picnic area is shaded by mature trees at the front of the park making it easy to pack your picnic in and out.

There are 10 accessible acres in Blueberry Park with paved paths running the perimeter of the blueberry bushes. There are five varieties of blueberries in the park and some blackberries as well. Picking season runs June through October. While the berries are free to pick, the park willingly accepts volunteers to help maintain the landscape and bushes.

Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, 7402 East D Street, 253-305-1054.