Table tennis enthusiasts in Melbourne, Victoria can now take their game outside as part of the City of Melbourne’s $4.5m redevelopment of Carlton’s Neill Street Reserve.
The project involved the establishment of the city’s first permanent outdoor table for playing table tennis, as well as a new community square and two multipurpose courts.
The redeveloped reserve was officially opened by Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, who said the quality open spaces now available would be much appreciated by residents, many of who live in apartments and have no backyards of their own.
He said the improved recreational facilities at the Neill Street Reserve were an incentive for those seeking additional physical activity in a beautiful environment, which could easily be a focus of future postcard printing for the area.
In addition, there are new courts for sports such as bike polo, volleyball, netball, futsal and basketball, and a community square with seating, picnic tables, swings and the new outdoor table tennis table. Lighting includes LED lights on 27 light poles.
The accompanying landscaping works have seen 10 mature palm trees relocated and 96 new trees planted.
The City to North Carlton shared bike path, which was established between Palmerston Street and Drummond Street, has also been improved and a separate pedestrian path created.
The Mayor said the new courts are for use by the public only and not available for regular competitions and sports club training.
