Locust Point Civic Association held its first Family Fun Day, and christened its brand new bocce court and waterslide, all in a move to draw people out to its clubhouse and beachfront property.
For too many years, said Jerry Landi, the vice-president of the LPCA, residents from Locust Point have drifted away from the clubhouse. The main reason, Landi said, was that environmental regulations closed the beach area facing the end of the East River.
Now Landi and the association board members hope to draw residents back. They have a new inflatable water slide purchased for young children, and a recently completed bocce court for adults. The First Family Fun Fay for Locust Point was held on Saturday, June 27.
“This is the best way to make use of our waterfront clubhouse since we cannot get the beach reopened,” Landi said. “We got a local contractor to build a bocce court so adults can play the game. We also purchased an inflatable water slide for our children.”
Landi said that the bocce court would provide a unique opportunity for both older and younger residents, particularly fathers and grandfathers, to bond with their children and grandchildren.
A lot of the younger men in the community have never played the billiard game before, but now they can do so while keeping an eye on their children.
There are games like hopscotch, basketball, and other activates to keep kids busy on the concrete blacktop and grassy area behind the clubhouse facing the water, located at 3300 Tierney Place.
Assemblyman Michael Benedetto donated the clay surfacing to complete the bocce court, and local contractor Nick Virello built the court, donating his time and materials.
Locust Point resident and mother Kristen Harty organized the first family fun day, and plans more for weekend during the rest of the summer. She moved into Locust Point from Silver Beach with her husband and child last year.
“This kind of get together is something that Locust Point did not have in the past, and I think it is a good way for everyone to have fun,” Harty said. “This is particularly true of our families.”
