Crushed Oyster Shell Bocce Court Surfacing
Oyster shells were the traditional surface used by the Italians, Greeks, and other cultures for thousands of years. The shells are a totally natural substance that fuse together to create a hard, compacted surface that is smooth, yet porous in nature.
Pros
The Pros of Oyster Shell Surfacing
Tradition - Crushed oyster shells are the most traditional surface option used in the construction of bocce courts. So, if staying true to historical standards is important to you, this may be the surface for you.
Playability - The material has the natural ability to create a hard, compacted surface that rolls fast and straight while absorbing bounce with minimal surface displacement.
Control - The court's speed can be controlled to some degree by adding oyster shell flour - a topcoat material that yields a smoother top layer for faster play.
Decent Drainage - The porous surface drains reasonably well.
Cons
The Cons of Oyster Shell
High Levels of Ongoing Maintenance - Crushed oyster shell bocce courts require constant brooming, wetting, and rolling to maintain their playability.
Moss - Moss can accumulate on the court’s surface - especially after wet weather and/or if the courts are not being constantly used and maintained. This can require removing the top layer of oyster shells, or applying a chemical solution on the court to eliminate any moss growth.
Dusty - Not only can dust from the court (the oyster shell flour top coat) easily be blown off the surface and spread throughout the surrounding area, it can be tracked indoors if players aren’t mindful of removing/cleaning their shoes.
Cost
The Cost of Oyster Shell Surfacing
Crushed oyster shell mixes and flour are typically sold in 50 lb. bags that can range in price from $20-$60. Since bocce courts require a depth of 1-½ to 3 inches of blended material, about 4 - 9 tons of material are needed. Based on this, the material cost will typically run in the $10,000 range although some suppliers offer large discounts for bulk purchases.
These costs are for only for the material. While installation times and costs vary significantly, one should consider these when calculating total costs as well. Commercial facilities should also budget for ongoing maintenance costs related to this surface.
Comparison Chart
See how crushed oyster shell surfacing compares to other popular bocce court surfacing options.
| Surface Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dust/Mess Free
|
 no |
 yes |
no |
no |
|
Low Maintenance
|
no |
yes |
no |
no |
|
Environmentally Friendly
|
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
Great Drainage
|
yes |
yes |
no |
no |
|
Typical Cost
(Surface Material Only) |
$$$
|
$$$
|
$
|
$$ |
