Bellevue's Desi Community Calls for Cricket Fields in Upcoming Parks Levy

For Bellevue's large and growing South Asian community, cricket is more than a sport — it's a cultural lifeline, and an upcoming parks levy could be the moment to finally get it on the map.

🏏 A Rare Opportunity to Put Cricket on the Parks Agenda

With Bellevue, Kirkland, and Seattle each preparing incoming parks levies, advocates are making the case that dedicated cricket facilities deserve a prominent place in those plans. The piece highlights how South Asian, East African, and Caribbean communities have long played cricket in the region despite a lack of proper infrastructure or recognized fields. Elected officials and professional cricketers have been photographed together at Tollgate Farm Park, signaling some political interest in the sport. The argument is that parks funding decisions shape which communities feel welcomed in public space, making these levies a meaningful civic opportunity. Including cricket in the levy language could represent a tangible step toward equity in how Eastside parks serve a diverse population. [1]

Sources: [1] The Urbanist