May 27, 2003
Bocce Comes to Downtown Portland
Earlier this month, in a post about cricket, I mentioned that I thought I had posted previously about plans for an earthquake-proof bocce court in the North Park Blocks, when in fact I had, for some reason, neglected to do so.
In the Tribune today, there's a look at construction of those courts:
The leisurely construction of two bocce lanes is finished. Tucked between Northwest Park and Eighth avenues and Flanders and Glisan streets, the spanking new lanes sit in the North Park Blocks between basketball courts.
Bocce (pronounced botch-ee) is a centuries-old, come-as-you-are sport. It originated in ancient times, but most people today associate it with Italians who play the game in streets and shady parks, usually not far from a glass of vino.
What is not yet completed is a structure "built to withstand anything from earthquakes to collisions with park maintenance trucks" -- which is the element of the entire project which captured my attention back when I forgot to post about it.
The courts are being built with private donations, but Portland Parks & Recreation did award a "grant of $5,000 to finish."
Comments (1)
Ben Mackiewicz on 24 Mar 2004
Our local Special Olympics here is trying to write a grant to apply for help with a bocce court.
Can anyone help with a name of a foundation who accepts this kind of request or even share information from a past successful grant they received money with???
Thanks
Ben