Washington Square Park is our pétanque home. But the park is currently under renovation. Of our two courts, only the small one remains. We are promised the returned of a big organic shaped playing area, surrounded by grass, with good drainage, big enough for 2 courts in the middle of next Summer. Hopefully by June.

What we loose in size and conditions we make up in exposure. Park benches surround the pistes for regular spectators. And do we have some. The layout of the park funnels foot traffic of locals and tourists right past to our pistes, which is on elevated ground. It’s not uncommon for many passersby to stop and take in the action before moving on. Many come back again and again. Some become members.

Bryant Park

We hold most of our tournaments in Bryant Park, where we also give free petanque lessons every weekday during lunch time (from April to October). The success of free lesson program cannot be underestimated. The support from the Bryant Park Foundation has allowed us to have an almost permanent presence, focused on teaching and promoting. Once a month, on Sundays, we hold a tournament on the stone-dust path surrounding the lawn. The path is just wide enough for tournament regulation games. It is a very hard surface. Bryant Park is our primary location this year.

Central Park

The ground where “the old guys” used to play has been renovated, resurfaced with grass. It’s a nice enough area now, but not for pétanque. So the unofficial playing area in Central Park has moved to the bridle path next to Tavern on the Green, bordering West Drive. We’ve held a few tournaments here when Bryant Park was not available (Fashion Show). Unfortunately we have to contend with the army of joggers that insist on carelessly pass through. To get here enter the park at West 67th Street and Central Park West.