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Bryant Park

  • Saturday, Mar 13
    The park is closed, and will reopen at 7:00am.

Activities in Bryant Park

Chess & Backgammon

The Chess Area, located next to the Fountain Terrace on 6th Avenue, provides the public with chess, checkers, backgammon and Scrabble boards for a small fee. The area is monitored by game afficionados from Midtown Backgammon and Chess. Games can be arranged through the monitor, and tournaments and events take place throughout the summer.

For more information on upcoming tournaments, special events and lessons please contact us at 212-768-4242.


Chess board fees

$3.00 per half hour

Backgammon board fees

$4.00 per half hour

Hours

Monday – Friday

11:00am – 7:00pm

Chess lesson schedule

Free Lessons given by the Midtown Backgammon and Chess
Monday – Friday from 3:00–4:00pm, Sunday 12:00–1:00pm, weather permitting

Pétanque

Pétanque is a French game of “boules” (French for balls), where each player strives to throw metal balls as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball, named the “cochonnet”. Most games are played in teams, and are staged on the gravel area near the Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street corner. Tournaments are played on the gravel paths around the Bryant Park lawn. Game strategies include “pointing” when a player throws his ball to have it roll as close to the cochonnet as possible, and “shooting” when a player aims for the ball of an opponent, hoping to move him out of a favorable spot.

Equipment needs

A good set (3) of Pétanque balls, and a wooden “jack” (target ball).

La Boule New Yorkaise

“La Boule New Yorkaise” is a New York City pétanque club (over 100 members) affiliated with the Federation of Pétanque USA Inc. (FPUSA). The club is dedicated to the promotion of pétanque as a fun and recreational activity, as well as a competitive sport. In 1986, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002 a team (3 players) from La Boule New Yorkaise won the right to represent the United States at the (men’s) World Championship. In 1994 and 2002, women players from La Boule New Yorkaise were members of the USA Women’s team which represented the United States at the Women’s World Championship.

For information, contact Mr. Ernesto Santos – “La Boule New Yorkaise” Email: info@labouleny.com.

 

 


Pétanque lesson schedule

Free Lessons given by La Boule New Yorkaise:
Monday – Friday from 11:30 am – 6:00pm, weather permitting

Bryant Park Ping Pong

The Ping Pong area is located near 42nd Street and 6th Avenue. Hone your ping pong skills at one of two state-of-the-art tables. Paddles and balls are provided free of charge. Sign up with an attendant in the park to reserve a time slot.

For more information on upcoming tournaments and special events please contact us at 212-768-4242.


Ping Pong Hours

Free Daily
May – October