RECENT COMMENTS
Petanque open house this Saturday
Petanque open house this Saturday at Chimborazo:
RICHMOND’S FIRST PÉTANQUE “OPEN HOUSE”
Are you ready for a new sporting experience?
Do you enjoy being outdoors in a casual, social and competitive environment?
Then it’s time you tried PÉTANQUE!
Pétanque, pronounced “pay’-tonk”, is one of Europe’s most popular outdoor games, is a cousin of curling and of the Italian bowling game called ‘bocce’. No special skill is required, all ages and physical abilities can play, and the equipment is inexpensive. Pétanque is simple, relaxing, lots of fun, and a great way to make new friends.
Les Boulefrogs of Church Hill Pétanque Club was established in 2005 with 12 enthusiasts. Today our membership numbers 35. The club is a member of the national Federation of Pétanque USA which has over 40 clubs, 1700 members and is growing. We play regularly on Sundays at 2 pm and Thursdays at 6 pm, year round.
What: Pétanque Open House – Instruction and games
When: Saturday, May 17 from 11 to 3 PM
Where: Chimborazo Playground, East Grace and 29th St. in Church Hill
How: We provide everything, just come and bring the family (children over 10 can play, others can watch!!)
Host: Les Boulefrogs of Church Hill Pétanque Club. Drinks and snacks provided.
Website: http://boulefrogs.com/
Contact for more information: Richard Taranto 648-3939
After today’s storms, I’m gonna assume that drainage is no longer a problem…or will I be up to my “balls” in water tomorrow : )
Drainage IS a problem along with abundent weeds and the fact that all the neighborhood cats think the courts are the worlds biggest litter box!
It will be interesting to see how many turn up for this “internationally renowned” sport and where they come from.
Bring your own snorkle!
Jean, I am not a regular player but I have been out with the groups several times. Instead of criticizing these people who welcome anyone to come, why don’t you come and check it out for yourself?
Karen
I am not “criticizing these people”, I am pointing out that these highly speciliazed “courts” are full of water, weeds and cat shit.
I have ‘checked it out’ and have never witnessed any of the numerous “courts” being used except one. That one court is the only one I (and several other neighbors) have ever seen used and even then only once a week!
As far as I am concerned these courts are an insect breeding, fecal harboring, stumbling over, weed infested hazzard to the “playground”. They are in no way welcoming or safe to children who might want to play there. They are instead a monument to an imperious takeover of City property for the use of a very few.
I agree, Jean. Please pave over them.
I’m with Jean. The courts have been a failed project from conception to completion. They will always be under used, hazardous and will never drain properly.
Given the relatively small percentage of the neighborhood that plays, I’m amazed at how they were able to convince the city to build all these damn courts. One maybe I could see but to take up half of a playground is ridiculous.
These specialized courts belong in someone’s backyard. If they ever drain properly, I’m planning to start using them to practice my bunker escape shots.
Alex, What is a “bunker escape shot”?
Of course, if they don’t drain properly, is the Petanque Club’s problem. Of course, the fact that they are there is also their problem. Doesn’t speek very well for the neighbor ‘hood’ who when faced with meeting to define the area, DIDN’T SHOW UP. The courts are your problem: step up and take responsibility instead of simply criticizing those who stood up and were for making the neighborhood better.
I for one, am tired of the same people who did nothing, now feel that they now have the answer to what they perceive. I know Jean knows it all but she is so wrong that I don’t even know why she bothers to post. At least Alex has a sense of humor even though his facts are often wrong. Very wrong.
Do it – trash me. I wouldn’t expect anything less.
Juanito
You are right, I did not do anything to “make the neighborhood better” and I DIDN’T SHOW UP concerning the Petanque courts. I was in Arizonia taking care of someone who was dying a slow, painful death. I did not know about this at the time.
Had I known about it, I would have done my best to stop it. I don’t claim to know it all as you put it but this park should be for everybody, not just a few people.
These courts are not my problem and why on earth would I “step up and take responsibility” for them? Please read this thread. I am not the only person who feels this way.
Alex makes a very good point.
“These specialized courts belong in someone’s backyard”
I went to the meetings. This small group was like talking to a brick wall. Insistent on having many pits, ( for mid atlantic tournment) and a design that didn’t make sense on paper. Old Church Hill won. The kids lost. I don’t use this park anymore because of these. Does anyone remember when these meetings would overlap into the skatepark meetings, and how many kids consistently showed up at 9am on Saturdays hoping for a skatepark?
I live directly behind the playground. At most I’ve seen maybe twelve people at the pentanque courts. And here’s food for thought–per the Pentanque America website, “Actually the word ‘court’ is a misnomer. We use it here because many people search for that term. Pétanque is by nature a game one can play without a setup, sort of like frisbee.” So … you don’t need even one court, much less four per your OWN GOVERNING BODY. You can go to Libby Hill or Chimborazo parks and play. You might even get more people interested in the game playing in the parks.
It’s funny how the courts were meant to be the “gateway” into the park. These meetings were horrible.
Perhaps you should put your biases and bitterness aside read the invitation. It is an invitation for everyone to join in, watch or perhaps try a hand at playing, and heaven forbid, have a good time outside on a sunny day with neighbors and maybe, make a few new friends. You’re invited! It’s not an exclusive, members only, we don’t want you to play affair.
This little part of the world we all love is big enough for everyone to play in. Kick the can. Try something new and take a chance at making today a better day.
A classic tale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc9l6TCdKpw
chpnfan
I have not detected any bias or bitterness in this thread. A lot of people disagree with the way this was handeled and have a right to say so!
John Murden
I just went by the petanque courts and it is now 1:15. At the most, there were 12 people hanging around the petnaque courts.
Research shows that this game does not have constructed courts. A fast one was pulled on the neighborhood.
I again ask you to post my photos on this thread. If you can post chpnfan, you should also post the photos, especially since they are so relevant to the issue being discussed.
Hey Jean – if you want to include a link to something in a comment, go ahead, but I’m not uploading attachments for anyone.
There are petanque courts (yes real courts, not patches of grass) in Bryant Park in NYC. They are very popular. The following link includes pictures. Looks like everyone is having a great time!
https://www.google.com/search?q=petanque+court+bryant+park+nyc&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=OLd3U4_2L-7MsQTTrIJw&ved=0CDgQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=653
I was not living in the neighborhood when the courts were being discussed nor am I familiar with the process involved with petitioning the city for special use rec facilities. However, would it be possible to reduce the number of courts to 1 and use the newfound space for additional kid friendly playground facilities?
Bravo East Grace. That wasn’t even hard was it?Even, even in France, they boule on courts as well:
https://www.google.com/search?q=petanque+in+france&rlz=1C1SKPL_en___US499&espv=2&es_sm=122&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=G8x3U9HiGdidqAbU9oLoDA&ved=0CEQQ7Ak&biw=1366&bih=653
But, Jean says:
“Research shows that this game does not have constructed courts. A fast one was pulled on the neighborhood.”
As you can easily see from the two links above, she’s the one trying to pull a fast one on the neighborhood, again.
Jean,
My post wasn’t addressed to you but if you see yourself as bias and bitter, claim my post as yours.
From the wisdom of Rod Serling… “Sunnyvale Rest, a dying place for ancient people, who have forgotten the fragile magic of youth. A dying place for those who have forgotten that childhood, maturity, and old age are curiously intertwined and not separate. A dying place for those who have grown too stiff in their thinking – to visit – The Twilight Zone.”
Couldn’t we just meet at Capt Buzzy’s and talk about the petanque issue over a glass of wine?
Oh wait…
I can almost hear the flower pots being sharpened and the sinister rustling of dog poo being loaded into paper bags.
Lighten up people. Enjoy the weather. Smell the flowers
Looks like you’ve been shut out, Jean.
In Petanque, that’s a ‘Fanny!
‘.http://images-01.delcampe-static.net/img_large/auction/000/068/919/048_001.jpg
I get it. Juanito, you are one of the 12 people who is in the league. If it’s so damn popular, how come 12 people showed up for the “open house”?
Anyone who would like to see a change in the use of the ‘petanque’ area, please contact me. There is a movement that is gaining momentum.
@10 – which of my facts do you find very wrong? Please enlighten me. I’m sure I have been wrong in the past and have no delusions that I’m perfect but it’s kind of lame to say my facts are wrong without offering any examples that we can debate.
Hey Alex, please talk to the City planners and Parks and Recreation about the following:
“I’m amazed at how they were able to convince the city to build all these damn courts.”
And, Jean, is this another of your up hill movements? Where is the momentum you mention?
I was involved. We tried very hard to stop all these courts from going in, but to no avail.
Whitworth gets what Whitworth wants. There was no talking these people. They must have had an in with Parks and Rec, because almost everything discussed did not happen except the damn courts. (The basketball area did get re-surfaced – that was the only item asked by the non-pentanque group that happened.)
Then, they spent even more money trying the solve the drainage issue that did not exist until they removed the blacktop and replaced it with the pentanque courts.
When we started this thing, my kids were younger. Now, they are 17 and 14 and they lost the use of half of their playground for the rest of their childhood.
I am still angry about it and would love to see it changed, but am weary after the battle and do not feel like posting much. But if someone else could head it up this time, I would support it.
I forgot to add one thing: Juanito – we DID show up. We went to several planning meetings. There were at least 30 non-pentanque people. We called Parks and Rec, and they met with us. We called Newbille. I personally emailed and contacted everyone I could think of. There was a Facebook group – there was so MUCH opposition, yet, as I said before, Whitworth gets what Whitworth wants. It was a debacle.
When I walked by there were way more than 12 people. They were playing on all the courts. There was even a kids game going.
@27
Since you seem to be so informed, I would like the names and titles of those who approved the courts and authorized the installation. There are records of meetings somewhere as well as signatures of those opposing and supporting.? Also please include any public notification. I can’t find anything in the CHA newsletters either in the minuets or notices. Many of the opponents have told me that there was no notification .
I have never been afraid of up hill and as far as momentum, READ instead of trying to be so snarkey!
John Murden
I misunderstood what you meant when you first said you didn’t want to get involved. thanks anyway.
If the purpose of the park is to provide a recreational space for those in the area, it seems like it was “more correct” prior to the installation of the petanque courts.
The most usage came from the basketball courts, the skate park(prior to petanque), toddlers and gardeners.
Park usage has dropped off significantly. If there are any changes in the works, why not leave one petanque court and use the central area between the b-ball courts and tennis courts as a skate park?
I don’t know where Ms. McDaniel gets the number of participants as 12 in yesterday’s petanque open house. The invitation clearly stated from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Perhaps, rather than skulking at a distance with her camera, if Ms. McDaniel had had the fortitude to come to the playground throughout the event, she would have.have seen at least 30 people enjoying the game at some time or other, including children and handicapped who were given lessons. I am completely puzzled at this venomous reaction to a simple game, which gives so many people all over the world a great deal of enjoyment, especially coming from someone who never uses the playground.
@East Grace–I’m very familiar with NYC and Bryant Park is about eight times the size of Chimborazo playground … and it only has ONE court.
And East Grace, I looked out at various times yesterday afternoon. The most people that were at the courts counted at fifteen. More were playing basketball.
@28… I think what we’ve seen is the ability of the pro-petanque coalition to create an impression that it was the popular will of the residents to have these courts by creating the air that the CHA speaks for the residents of the Hill. Well, we all know how incorrect that is. Most of the residents of the Hill have no desire to have any affiliation with CHA and it certainly doesn’t speak for the Hill. However, it is an organized group and how would Parks and Rec know anything different? I’m not sure they stay up-to-date on the disfunction of CHA. These folks are trying their best to do what the community wants.
If the community wants to get changes done in the park, it can get done but I think you’ll have to prove what the majority really wants. This is not so tough to do. Put a few plans on paper for people to view, canvass the neighborhood and get folks to sign up for their desired outcome. Once this is presented to Parks and Rec, there is no ambiguity and we move on.
Is there a desire to move forward for a change?
I have lived on the Hill for 13 years and have watched the progression of this park go from a sad under used park were it was common place to find used condoms and drug paraphernalia on the playground equipment to a vibrant park being used by many people. I believe the City Parks and Rec. department still have on slate a skate board park to be place between the central plaza and the tennis court. Benches, BBQ stands and a nice big picnic table have been recently put in all part of the original plans to improve our park. The City Park and Rec. Department moves at their own pace. Lighten up, have some patience go sit on a new bench in the park and enjoy the roses that are in bloom!
@34
I am 65 yrs. old, I have never played basketball, skateboarded and my arthritis is rather severe. So, no I don.t use the playground anymore. I do bring children of friends there to use the swings etc.The reaction is not to a “simple game” but to the tactics used to hijack a playground .
The invitation clearly stated that you started with 12 people and now you are up to 30!!! There were way less than 30 people there and the numbers are beside the point anyway.
You clearly don’t know me if you accuse me of “skulking at a distance with her camera”. I don’t hide what I do and I don’t own a camera and I don’t use a made up name to voice my beliefs.
Trish – on the pictures John posted under A great day to be outside I count at least around twenty on various petanque courts and about 5 around one of the basketball courts. When I walked by there were way more on the basket ball courts and some different people playing petanque. Nothing was stagnant. And there is definitely more than one pentanque court in Bryant Park. You can tell that by looking at the pictures.
38: So if the numbers are beside the point, anyway, why do you make a point of the numbers?
@39
Thanks for pointing this out. I counted EVERYONE in EVERY picture and came up with 34. Even though I KNEW I was counting the same people more than once, I wanted to be fair.
I think LAURA @ 36 says it well and it is time to move on and work for change.
Anyone interested in providing information, alternative uses, and documentation of some of the statements made here, contact me at :
garnettjean@verizon.net
Bicker, bicker, bicker… I’m shutting this one down.