Custom Designed and Built Bocce Ball Court for Home on Mount Helix

All work and no play... well, you know the drill!

This was a really fun and challenging job to take on. Working on large scale outdoor projects like a bocce ball court can really put a handyman to the test due to the heightened mental and physical challenges required. This one was no exception.

Analyzing the lay of the land became Job One. This private estate in a lush Mount Helix setting features a small vinyard and lots of old growth shade trees. The setting reminds one of the south of France or the Tuscan foothills. Its gentle slope would require some earth moving, and the matter of which direction to move it was of course determined by a number of other considerations:

1. the desired angle to the sun
2. the amount of sun exposure (there were some large shade trees in the vicinity)
3. water drainage (nobody wants to play on a soggy court!)
4. optimizing access to pathways, while minimizing impact on parking space and vehicular access

After several plans were drawn up, we narrowed our choices down to its final location along the left side of the driveway that wraps around the rear of the property, on the left edge of the parking area and just before the entrance to the vineyard.

The finished bocce ball court came out level, with excellent drainage, and perfectly shaded to provide a welcome respite from the blazing afternoon sun. I've got to say that I'm really happy with the result!

Bob

Click on any photo below to see a slideshow:

The plans are all drawn up and earth has been moved into place

With the grading done, it's time to lay down some crushed stone

Vertical supports for the cross beams going into place

The cross beams will one day be covered in grape vines

The finished project - now who wants to play?

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