Commission favors exploring bocce courts; staff to pursue feasibility and community engagement

Staff presented a non‑site‑specific review of bocce court options including typical surface materials (oyster shell, decomposed granite, crushed stone, synthetic turf), maintenance implications and example costs. The staff report included regional comparables — Marin Bocce Federation facilities in San Rafael and Dunfey Park courts in Sausalito — and a construction estimate of roughly $279,000 cited from a consultant for a two‑court example.

Commissioners responded enthusiastically about bocce's potential to provide intergenerational programming and recommended mobilizing community advocates and fundraising partners to help with design, siting and construction costs. Staff cautioned that court surface choices and construction quality matter for league play and stressed that any formal project should include programming, maintenance responsibilities and funding sources.

"There's a lot of different relationship opportunities should this commission and the city want to pursue bocce in the future," staff said, noting that some jurisdictions partner with federations or organizations that operate and pay for construction and improvements. Commissioners asked staff to return with a focused feasibility study if community interest and potential partners can be identified.