Croquet Cafe

A Refreshing Destination is Coming to Centennial Park.

Croquet Cafe

Coming Soon to Centennial Park’s North Side: the Croquet Cafe!

The Park’s historic 1963 Croquet Clubhouse structure will be transformed into a new dining destination. This sought-after park amenity will offer affordable food, refreshments, and merchandise to neighbors and visitors. With an expansive outdoor courtyard, public restrooms, and indoor seating, the Croquet Cafe will refresh visitors while utilizing its proceeds to help support park enhancements.

The project is projected to break ground in 2025 and be completed in 2026. The Croquet Cafe will be operated by the nonprofit Centennial Park Conservancy.

Read the official announcement here.

The Croquet Cafe is generously supported by the Frist Foundation, Sandra Schatten Foundation, Hays Foundation, Joe C Davis Foundation, and Metro Historical Commission 

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Local Food & Coffee

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Outdoor Courtyard

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Park Merchandise

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Public Restrooms

Outdoor cafe with tables and umbrellas, surrounded by people and trees
Park scene with people near outdoor café and colorful umbrellas, surrounded by greenery and trees.
Illustration of a modern cafe building labeled 'Croquet Cafè' with trees and outdoor seating.
Architectural rendering of a modern pavilion with large glass windows, angled roof, and outdoor seating. People walk and cycle nearby under a cloudy sky with trees in the background.
Architectural illustration of an indoor café with large windows, modern furnishings, and people interacting.

Croquet Clubhouse History

Croquet was once a favorite pastime in Centennial Park, particularly during the 1950s and 60s. To support this growing interest, the Centennial Park Croquet Club was formed, and outdoor courts were constructed. By 1958, an open-air structure was added, allowing for play regardless of the weather.

In 1963, the Croquet Clubhouse was built beside the courts, serving as a gathering space and equipment hub for players. A striking architectural example of mid-century modern design, the single-story brick building features a pitched roof, a triangular bay, and an angular facade. Recognized for its historical and cultural significance, it was later designated as a contributing structure in Centennial Park’s listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Croquet clubhouse exterior, June 2007, modern architecture with brick walls and large windows, surrounded by grass and trees.

As interest in croquet declined, the courts were repurposed into the Event Shelter, a space that hosted generations of celebrations, dances, and picnics—a tradition that will continue at the new Event Pavilion. Though the Croquet Clubhouse remained dormant for years, its transformation into the Croquet Cafe ensures it will once again bring people together, now with coffee cups in hand instead of mallets.

Black and white photo of an outdoor area with benches and a building, surrounded by trees and streetlights, with people sitting on benches.
Four men playing horseshoes in a park

Park Revitalization

The Croquet Cafe and Event Pavilion are a part of Phase Three of a multi-year collaborative partnership with Metro Parks to enhance Centennial Park.

  • Metro Parks and Centennial Park Conservancy are sustaining the vibrancy of Centennial Park as a thriving public green space. This public-private partnership has collectively invested over $30M to revitalize our city’s central park to serve current and future generations. Two phases of completed improvements have transformed the Park in many ways, and a third phase will further enhance the Park’s north side to benefit residents and visitors. 

    • FREDDIE O’CONNELL, Mayor

    • BRANDON TAYLOR, Council Representative, District 21

    • MONIQUE HORTON ODOM, Director of Metro Parks

    • HDLA

    • Dryden

    • Collier Engineering

    • R.C. Mathews Contractor, LLC

  • Croquet Cafe is generously supported by: 

    • Frist Foundation

    • Sandra Schatten Foundation

    • Hays Foundation

    • Joe C Davis Foundation

    • Metro Historical Commission 

Stay Informed

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