New outdoor, publicly accessible ping pong tables are taking hold in New York City, adding an extra element of health and activity to some of the city's public parks.
Concrete ping pong tables, designed by a U.S. based company called Henge, have been installed in three parks in New York.
"Basically, it looks cool and minimal, you can knock a ball around on it, and one has recently made its debut in Tompkins Square Park. That table, a gift from Henge, followed the appearance last year of a similar model in Gulick Park on the Lower East Side.
Meanwhile up in Bryant Park, two other Ping-Pong tables occupy a proud spot just off West 42nd Street.
According to Adrian Benepe, the Commissioner of the Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees 54 tables in recreation centers across the boroughs, these three parks represent something new for the city: an experiment in open-air Ping-Pongery."
FULL STORY: The Joys of Ping-Pong in the Open

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie