Havin' a Ball: Petanque in Bryant Park
AUGUST 7, 2009
Call it by it's French nom, pétanque (or boules), or its Italian variant bocce, but it's not just an old men's game and it's not as easy as it looks.
In the workday oasis that is Bryant Park, that small group of men (it usually is men but they love a gal to join in anytime) throwing metal balls around what looks like a giant catbox seem to be having more fun than anyone else. The players—at least the good ones—are probably members of NYC’s pétanque club La Boule New Yorkaise, and they're serious about their game. That said, they're a friendly bunch—club members offer free lessons every weekday from 11:30am-6pm, April-October—and once you try it you may well be hooked. It's almost as much fun for spectators who form a lively crowd around the action. The park also hosts tournaments, and you can rent the courts for parties once you've got some skills to show off. Now you have a new reason to miss that afternoon meeting.
Bryant Park Petanque Courts (42nd Street and 6th Avenue)
http://www.bryantpark.org/amenities/activities.php
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