Anybody Up For A Game of Bocce?

At the Board of Trustees meeting on Jan. 9, a proposal brought to Trustee Nancy Gould was discussed that would eliminate the bocce courts by the duck pond and give the area to the River Greenway committee. 

Bocce is a sport where players place a pole, known as a jack, on a rectangular court and attempt to through bocce balls towards the pole.  The balls are usually made of metal.  The goal of the game is to get your bocce ball closest to the jack.

According to Gould, Saratoga Associates has asked to use the space in future planning.  Gould said that South Orange Recreation Director Kate Schmidt hasn’t seen anyone play bocce on the courts “in years.” 

South Orange released a statement on their website on Jan. 26 that named some options to "refresh the area around the Skate House and Duck Pond," including the bocce courts.  

"We are trying to assess the level of community interest in seeing the bocce courts made serviceable again," the statement said.  "Please share your thoughts and ideas for making this a lively multi-generational recreation space.   Some ideas being considered include all-weather ping pong tables, chess/checker tables, replacement tables and benches, or lawn restoration."

This has lead Patch to ask residents in its latest Patch poll, do you play bocce in South Orange?  Some residents may not even know we have bocce courts.  Some residents may not have been observed playing.  Maybe the area really could be used for better use.

Residents with comments on this issue may email Kate Schmidt, director of recreation and cultural affairs for South Orange.

Vote below and feel free to leave a comment.