Table Tennis Anyone?

Each morning on the way to school, I walk pass the "Rec Center". Some mornings the 'net' is up on the Ping Pong table and students are there playing a quick game before school.  Some days a veggie markets springs up around the table and the net is used for other purposes.
I guess I need to play a game and see how will the 'net' stands up to a couple smashes.
The 'bench' is there so that the audience can keep the ball from going into the street. I have also seen a small dog sleeping inside the bench. I suppose it keeps him from getting run over.