Find Posts By Topic

Cal Anderson Park welcomes new ping pong table

New ping pong table in Cal Anderson Park. Photo by Capitol Hill Park Alliance

New ping pong table in Cal Anderson Park. Photo by Cal Anderson Park Alliance

Cal Anderson Park has been referred to as the Central Park of Capitol Hill. It’s equipped with athletic fields, play equipment, a giant fountain and wide open lawns for picnics. This summer, a new amenity has been added to the list.

On Wednesday, June 3, the Cal Anderson Park Alliance (CAPA) installed a ping pong table on the cement space behind the baseball diamond near the shelterhouse. The community group raised $1,500 for the new piece of equipment. The table is the same style as the one found in Westlake Park and is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. CAPA will provide paddles and balls, or patrons can bring their own.

New ping pong table in Cal Anderson Park. Photo by Cal Anderson Park Alliance

New ping pong table in Cal Anderson Park. Photo by Cal Anderson Park Alliance

The ping pong table installation is part of a larger effort to provide a vibrant, more welcoming atmosphere in downtown parks throughout the summer. When park users are actively involved in positive activities in a park, negative and illegal activities seem to decrease.

“The Cal Anderson Park Alliance was thrilled to be able to work with the Seattle Parks Department to bring a ping pong table to Cal Anderson Park,” Rachael Brister, CAPA board member said.  “This is one step in our work to activate the park with fun activities for people of all ages. We look forward to many hours of ping pong playing by park visitors.”

Cal Anderson Park. Photo by Cal Anderson Park Alliance

Cal Anderson Park. Photo by Cal Anderson Park Alliance

Seattle Parks has many other activities planned in its downtown parks this summer in partnership with CAPA and other community organizations. For a full schedule of summer activities, go here.