"Only as far as the masters of the world have called in nature to their aid, can they reach the heights of magnificence," wrote transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson. "This is the meaning of their hanging-gardens, villas, garden-houses, islands, parks and preserves." Say what you will about the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Parks Department, but none can deny that they reach for magnificent heights. Just ask the Dakotan denizens strolling through Riverdale Park or Phillips Avenue plaza. Of course, it will be difficult to get their attention away from the newly installed outdoor ping-pong tables. Made of solid concrete with metal nets, these al fresco installation pieces are built to last. "It’s just one of those additional things that you can get out and do to recreate within the park system, a new fresh amenity to the park system that people can enjoy," says Kelby Mieras, Sioux Falls park operations manager. "It came to us through the city council. It was actually a budget amendment that was done last year during the budgeting process and we’ve purchased three ping pong tables," explains Mieras. "Two of them have been installed and we’re just finalizing the location for the third one." With the Phillips Avenue plaza table covering the downtown area and Riverdale Park available for the city's east siders, the city is currently scouting the west side to maintain balance. Once installed, the city will monitor usage to inform future decisions. "I think the first thing we need to do is find out how they are received by the community, how much use they get," says Mieras. "Of course, they are big concrete tables. They’re not cheap, and... we've got to find suitable locations for them, so I think demand will drive whether or not we add additional [tables]." Even though the city provides no playing equipment, the tables are already attracting more people to the parks. As word of the outdoor tables spreads, a community of paddle-toting regulars is likely to form, akin to Manhattan's Bryant Park and other outdoor public tables around the world. As the masters of the world in the Sioux Falls city council will hopefully see, their small gesture has already begun to elevate their fair city to the heights of magnificence.

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