First Park Bocce Courts, date unknown.

Bocce is a game developed in modern times in Italy during the 19th century. Italian immigrants to New York City brought their love of the game (played on a court of crushed stone, not grass, as the British lawn bowling was played) to their new home.

Mayor La Guardia, the son of Italian immigrants, established the first bocce courts in New York City parks in 1934. As the city continued to build playgrounds in the Depression and post-Depression era, bocce courts were often included in the designs.