During the long odyssey of reading about Deniliquin’s history, there are things that get your attention and one of these things was Ping Pong Park but where was Ping Pong Park?
Ping Pong Park or Ping Pong Reserve was mentioned in The Independent and The Pastoral Times between 1921 and 1958.
The answer is that it was located near the Water Tower that is almost opposite to the White Lion Hotel, it may have been a large reserve as the Red Cross Hall was proposed to be built in 1947 opposite the Powerhouse on land that was a portion of Ping Pong Reserve, it ended up in Wellington Street.
The idea of leasing out Ping Pong Park was raised in the council meeting of November 1921.
The mayor in 1922 said that there was a good fence originally at Ping Pong Park and the works committee had better make an inspection.
It was joked to the Mayor by Alderman Fitznead that “They only use it for firewood down your end”.
There were moves in 1924 to lease out the reserves in town to people, but this was rejected.
It was also reported in 1924 that the park was fenced in “some time ago” and it was understood to be a recreational ground and the council erected swings there.
Swings and gates were put in order immediately at the council meeting in March 1924.
New hand gates and cyclone gates were installed in 1924, and the fence was repaired in 1926.
A cricket game was held at the park in 1928 between the Ping Pong Colts and School B, The Ping Pong Colts were bowled out for 84 before the opposition went in for a bat, disaster struck the school team as Jim Farquhar taken eight wickets for no runs, Bill Harry taken the other two for one which was a wide, School B was all out for one run.
The reserve/park could be rented out for £4 in the 1930’s and trees were lopped, and the fence was repaired in 1934.
Council approved the creation of a playground in 1936 and it was to be done by the Progress Association.
Sea-Saws, Swings, Rings and ten loads of sand were put into the park in 1937 and it began life as a playground.
The Progress Association called for the removal of play equipment from Ping Pong Park and moved to Waring Gardens.
Guy Fawkes Night was celebrated at the park; it was not unusual for bonfires at the park along with crackers, that was mentioned in 1945.
The Juniors Cricket Club wanted a practice cricket wicket erected in the park in 1946.
A practice wicket was established in the corner of the park in 1949 by the W.C & I.C for their cricket team.
It was announced in October 1949 that Ping Pong Park would get a new name, Windeyer Park.
Deni History 