South Russell residents ask council to approve single bocce court in village park

Lovely Sherwin, a resident who gave her address as 138 Holly Lane, told council the village is one of the few nearby communities without a bocce court and asked permission to place one in the park. She said the installation would use treated wood for the frame, gravel surfacing, donated equipment and a small storage chest; she estimated the village contribution would be modest and suggested the service department could install the frame.

Speakers noted local leagues use courts in neighboring communities and described both league play and more casual family use. Residents said maintenance is relatively low—periodic raking and topping of the court surface—and that treated wood frames can last decades. They also suggested using a lockable storage box or community chest for balls and scoreboard equipment.

Council members and the park committee liaison advised the petitioners to prepare a simple site sketch with dimensions and a proposed placement relative to the pavilion and playground. The street commissioner (Tim) agreed to walk the site with residents before Thanksgiving to discuss drainage and exact placement and to advise on feasibility; the park committee will review the proposal and make a recommendation to council.

No formal funding decision was made at the meeting. Council and staff asked the residents to provide photos or examples of storage chests and scoreboards and to stake a proposed location several days before the park committee meeting so the committee can visualize the placement.

Members of the public who spoke on the item were identified in the record as Lovely Sherwin, Allison Dean and Sarah Caso. The council directed staff to arrange a site walk with the street commissioner and to notify the residents of the next park committee meeting for formal review.