Video: Ceremony Marks Grand Opening of Bocce Court at Glen Ridge

Residents of Mansfield’s celebrated the completion of a new outdoor bocce court on Monday. 

The project was the brainchild of Chuck Boster, a resident of Glen Ridge.

Boster said he first learned to play the game while overseas visiting his Danish friends.

Bocce, said to have originated in ancient Egypt, is played with two teams whose objective is to get as many of their bocce balls closer to a fixed target – or pallina – than the opposing team’s closest ball. 

“Chuck suggested the idea, and we thought it would be a nice opportunity to build more of a social climate in the community,” said Bob Kremer, administrator of the Cooperative.

The bocce court now occupies a small patch of land between Sycamore Drive and a pond on the property.

Kremer said he hoped the location would provide the opportunity for residents of Juniper Hill to interact with residents of Glen Ridge.

“I think people are really going to have fun,” Kremer said.

Glen Ridge resident Bev Korba agreed. 

“Anyone can play,” she said. "You don’t need a special skill. You can just come out and have fun. I think it will bring people together.”

Boster said the level playing field that bocce created, was in fact “the beauty” of the game. 

“For Glen Ridge, this is about to bring us all here to enjoy a social opportunity together; a time for Glen Ridge, Juniper Hill and other friends from to laugh, share and either play or watch,” Boster said.

Glen Ridge would like to thank its crew Rich Gaynor, Kevin Nye and Joe Trehy for their efforts in building the court, Phil DeSiato of for providing the materials, Marlene Walsh, administrator of Juniper Hill Village and Paul Shapiro, a member of the Juniper Hill and Glen Ridge Boards for bringing the plan to fruition.