Three new bocce courts were unveiled Queens on Tuesday — but geezers griping about the design won’t let the good times roll.
The bright blue courts — which cost $850,000 — feature shaded structures to shield bocce buffs from the sun at Juniper Valley Park.
“Bocce enthusiasts can now enjoy more opportunities to play the game they love, while keeping cool in the shade,” said Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski.
But some bocce-balling regulars — mostly elderly folks from the neighborhood — weren’t happy about the renovation, claiming benches are too far from the courts and lights are too dim for old folks with bad eyes.
“I don’t know why the architect designed it like that…It looks nice, but mostly people are not happy with this,” said Peter Bozanic, 72, told the Queens Ledger at the ribbon cutting.
“The court is okay, but we have a problem with the canopy… When it rains, it leaves damage.”, ” added Bozanic, whose nickname is “The Croatian.”
Parks Department spokesman Zachary Freder defended the design.
“The shade structures are designed to protect players from the sun… If they were slanted, to better protect players from rain, they would not shield them from the sun as effectively,” said Parks Department spokesman Zachary Freder.
The project was funded by the Office of the Queens Borough President, which allocated $800,000 and Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, who allocated $50,000, according to a Parks Department spokesman.
Two of the courts are renovated and one is completely new. Shade structures made from recycled materials.