National Geographic Features Ping Pong Documentary

The Tables, a short documentary film by Jon Bunning about Bryant Park’s Ping Pong area recently appeared online at National Geographic’s Short Film Showcase.  

The heart of the film is the interviews with the players “from across the city and around the world” who have come together to form a community around their love of this popular park amenity. 

In her article accompanying the film at National Geographic, Jaenique Hurlock sums up nicely the overall effect by writing: “Deeper than the healthy competition and love for the sport is a sense of belonging and inter-generational camaraderie among the 20 or so regular players.”

Ping Pong came to the park in 2009 and was an immediate hit. For ten years, our custom-designed space, offering two state-of-the-art tables, has been packed with players and spectators enjoying the atmosphere the film so vividly depicts. If you want to try out the game for yourself, the Host is there daily (weather permitting), 11am-7pm, to lend out free equipment and arrange matches.