Often during the brief but glorious spells of unseasonably warm weather that have brightened recent winters, it seems that entire populations have materialized to stake claims on the outdoor grills that dot the gentle slopes of Powderhorn Park. They've got the right idea. Whatever the season, Powderhorn is a picnic favorite, and for good reason: Families can play soccer and softball on the fields in the park's northern flatlands while kids and dogs battle for tennis balls or watch the runners cruising the paths around the lake. When it's time to eat, the slopes at the south end are perfect for a blanket. Despite the looming proximity of the downtown skyline, it's easy to forget you're in the city, a scant three blocks from Lake Street. The slightly subterranean setting--nearly twenty feet below street level at some points--cuts out the din and casts a stillness over the human chaos that lends itself perfectly to a loaf of bread and a jug of Kool-Aid.