Seattle cricket supporters push for a community park

By AI, Created 4:51 PM UTC, May 26, 2026, /AGP/ – More than 1,620 supporters and 14 local organizations signed a Seattle Orcas petition backing a proposed Cricket Community Park in King County. The push aims to meet rising youth demand, support community play and give the region a permanent home for cricket, including a future venue for Major League Cricket.

Why it matters: - King County has one of the fastest-growing cricket communities in the United States. - Supporters say the region needs dedicated public cricket infrastructure for community play, youth development and professional competition. - A Cricket Community Park could also drive economic activity and attract visitors for tournaments and events. - The park would give Seattle-area cricket a permanent shared asset instead of relying on limited facilities.

What happened: - More than 1,620 individual cricket supporters signed the Seattle Orcas petition this spring. - Fourteen local organizations also signed on to back the proposed Cricket Community Park. - The petition is part of a public push to move the project forward in King County. - The Seattle Orcas are the Pacific Northwest’s Major League Cricket franchise.

The details: - King County has the 6th-largest Asian population of any county in the U.S. - More than 200,000 local fans are already familiar with cricket. - The region has 400 cricket clubs with 5,000 active players. - Seattle-area youth cricket academies train hundreds of young players. - Youth participation has grown tenfold since 2017. - The proposed park would have a 4,000-person capacity. - The venue would serve as a permanent home for community cricket. - The park would also serve as a future venue for the Seattle Orcas. - The venue would provide dedicated cricket infrastructure for local leagues and youth programs. - The venue would support youth, women’s and men’s tournaments, family recreation and professional play. - The venue would help keep professional cricket rooted in King County. - The venue would provide community access to a high-quality recreational facility. - The venue would create economic activity through tournaments and events. - The venue would attract regional, national and international visitors to King County.

Between the lines: - Azeem Khan, president of the Northwest Cricket League, said the region’s multicultural fan base is ready for a world-class Cricket Community Park. - Khan said each signature represents a local or national cricket fan willing to invest time and purchasing power in King County. - Bellevue community leader Jane Aras said the park would help families practice batting, bowling and fielding and create lifelong memories. - Aras said the facility would meet different needs across the community, including youth development and professional play. - The campaign frames the park as both a sports facility and an economic development tool.

What’s next: - Supporters want King County to advance the proposed Cricket Community Park. - The Seattle Orcas say the park would become a long-term home for the sport in the region. - If built, the facility would anchor future community cricket and possible professional matches in King County.

The bottom line: - Cricket’s base in Seattle is growing faster than the region’s facilities, and supporters are trying to close that gap with a dedicated public park.