Food Industry Unites to Build Bocce Courts in Wicker Park

A neglected, unused lot will soon house the neighborhood’s first bocce courts, thanks to the effort of a few members in the Chicago food industry.

Construction is underway for two bocce courts in Wicker Park. The first game could be played as soon as the end of May.

Spearheading the effort are two members of the Chicago food scene. Justin Arnett-Graham works at Lincoln Park modern seafood restaurant, L20 and Alex Gara is the beverage director at Mindy’s Hot Chocolate. The two are key members in the Wicker Park Bocce Club, created to build “a place to gather, throw some stones and love a summer afternoon.”

Wicker Park, which already houses basketball and baseball facilities, is pretty packed with amenities. Therefore, the bocce courts are undergoing construction in an empty lot at the corner of Damen and Crystal, 1944 W. Crystal St. 

Ward 1 Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno said he supported the project, Chicago Red-Eye reports.

If players don’t have their own bocce set, they can rent one at Small Bar on Division Street.

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"It's not going to be like a park," Arnett-Graham told Chicago Red-Eye. "We just want it to be a co-op within the city for anyone who likes bocce ball and enjoying beautiful days in their neighborhood."

Bocce won’t be the only fun happening in the space; Gara told Eater Chicago to keep an eye out for other events with restaurant industry folks.

Local eateries like The Bristol, SmallBar and the newly-opened Takito Kitchen have already thrown themselves in the ring for a tournament May 19.

To fundraise, the bocce club is hosting a party May 16 at Fulton Market Gallery. For $15, revelers can enjoy food and drink along with live music at the art space.