Wednesday, July 18, 2007

I Say Pétanque, You Say Bocce: Lets Get a Tournament Going in Carroll Park, Brooklyn

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How cool is this? After my entry on Bastille Day last week-end, someone posted a link to a pétanque or boule blog. Who knew that there were so many boule aficionados in Brooklyn. The blog is called Brooklyn Boule:
They play in McCarren Park, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

So I was thinking: How about trying to get something going in Carroll Park, here in Carroll Gardens? For decades, Italian residents have been playing Bocce in one of two courts in the park. It is one of the most wonderful things about this neighborhood. Just recently, a group of young architects has formed its own little league and is sharing the bocce court with the old-timers.
But there is a lower court in the center area of the park, close to the monument. Long neglected, the Committee To Improve Carroll Park, of which I am a member, has filled this second court up with sand and it is ready to play on. Now wouldn't it be great to get a Pétanque league going? Bocce vs. Pétanque? Right here in Carroll Gardens? Maybe the Italian and French restaurants along Smith Street could sponsor a tournament.
Now that would be something.
If anyone else loves the idea and would like to organize or help put together such an event, you can leave a comment or email friendsofcarrollpark@yahoo.com.


1 comment:

Francois said...

Hi there,
I glad to hear that you got the petanque bug. You are more than welcome to join our little tournament on Saturday 4th.
For all details visit www.brooklynpetanque.org
See you there.
F