Squan Student Constructs Bocce Court

An impending hurricane – and possible evacuation in Manasquan – didn’t deter an energetic JD (Jeremy Dwight) Kuper from tirelessly laying ground for a bocce court behind Manasquan Borough Hall last week.

Kuper, 16, Manasquan, and a junior and Honor Student at Manasquan High School, undertook the project as part of his service hours needed for candidacy for the National Honor Society.

“I was planning everything out, and I thought this was a good time to do it – I didn’t expect a hurricane,” Kuper said.

He explained the procedure for candidacy in the Honor Society.

“We had to raise 120 service hours, including 40 hours of project, which is my bocce court,” he said. “I also went to Pittsburgh to help people having trouble with their homes, and I did landscaping for a 93-year-old widow and her daughter.”

Kuper was accompanied in his endeavor by eight to 12 friends who are Boy Scouts in Troop 59, Manasquan, working toward their “community service” hours.  The junior is also a troop member, and Life Scout working toward becoming an Eagle Scout, but the court was not part of that project.  His sisters, Sarah, 15, and Emma, 11, also assisted in making the court.

He narrowed his choice for a recreational area down to two activities.

“It was a tossup between bocce or horseshoes, and horseshoes were shot down because they’re too noisy,” Kuper said. “I wanted everyone in the community to come together – young and old – to play bocce. I like bocce; my grandparents play bocce.”

The steps to making the 60’ by 12’ court are actually quite simple, and began with Kuper and his team measuring out the space and marking it with spray paint. The group then dug down six inches, roto-tilled any lumpy areas, and leveled the dirt with rakes. When all the digging and leveling were done, wood in measurements of 2” by 12” by 12” selected by Kuper was inserted around the outer rim of the court.

Needless to say, in light of Hurricane Irene, Kuper was forced to delay working on the project; however, the digging and leveling were completed. Beginning this week, the team will fill the court with crushed gravel, and cover it with a fabric that acts as a water filter, followed by two inches of tennis clay on top. The materials are then suppressed, and Kuper will check to make sure the court is leveled.

“Lastly, you take out your bocce ball set and have a great time!,” Kuper said.

The idea was popular enough that he has been encouraged to make more courts.

“My mom said ‘Why don’t you do a second one?,’ and the Town Council did also, but I said to my mom, ‘A hurricane’s coming – I need more manpower!,’ plus, I don’t have the time right now,” he said.

Kuper was grateful for any help he received from the borough.

“As for the equipment, the Manasquan Recreation Commission has graciously said they would help offset the prices for the bocce set,” Kuper said.

The idea of a grand opening of the bocce court has been tossed around but nothing has been set in stone yet.