Bocce Ball Bonding Community

The bocce ball court instilled in a small park in South Beach brings people together in a fun and safe activity that cost almost nothing from the city.

As I was visiting South Beach on the recent sunny Tuesday afternoon, I completely missed the newly added bocce ball court, not too hard to do working through the throngs of people and merchant tents. I was standing outside one booth looking at the thinned out wine bottles...you know the ones. The merchant at the next booth informed me that the owner was playing a round of bocce ball on the lawn, but he would be back shortly.

Intrigued I wandered over to the small area that sits across from the Ferry Building and south of Justin Herman Plaza to see who I assumed to be the merchant and who I assumed to be a homeless man playing an intense game of bocce ball. As I watched the game finish I couldn't help but think what a great idea. A free bocce ball court! In an area otherwise not utilized other than the homeless to sleep in and the business types looking for a place to rest without being too close to the homeless. Now there is an activity and a space not only to coexist but to equally participate in an activity.

The court was actually proposed by and paid for by local business workers and residents. The main contributor was Chris Gruwell who petitioned for this free, fun, and useful project.

Don't think I didn't take part in this great activity. When Marc, the local merchant, had to go back to his tent, I was challenged to a game by a man named Rudy (with a "y" he made sure to tell me twice). I ended up losing terribly, and found out Rudy is a bad winner. He challenged me to a re-match but I was running low on time and graciously bowed out to the champion.

I am finding new things to love about this area every visit, and this is just one of the many right under my feet. Cheers to bocce ball!