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How You Can Help
Initiate and Organize – Lawn bowling is one of the most inclusive and accessible outdoor activities available. It requires no prior athletic ability, is low impact, and is played in a social environment that empasizes community over competition. The proposed Club would utilize underused park space, provide programming at no cost to the City, and build a lasting community asset that generations will be able to enjoy.
You can help by joining our team to help get organized, look for potential building sites, advocate for the building of the greens with our City leaders, secure private and/or public funding, and help spread the word about the the sport and what it can bring to Folsom and the surrounding communities. Ask your friends, family and neighbors if this is something they would like to see in Folsom, somthing that enhance the life of everyone. If you have particular skills in planning and construction, site surveying, permit applications, fund raising, design, accounting and social media, we would love to hear from you.
Help us make this dream a reality.
organizational structure
Bowls USA, the National Governing body of lawn bowling in the United States oversees 7 Regions across the nation – Northwest Division, Pacific InterMountain Division, Southwest Division, Central Division, South Central Division, Northeast Division and Southeast Division.
The Folsom Lawn Bowling Club will join the Pacific InterMountain Division (PIMD) which is the regional governing body of lawn bowling in Northern California and Nevada.
There are currently 12 established lawn bowling clubs within PIMD. The Folsom Lawn Bowling club will make the 13th Club. Member clubs foster community, competition and a love of the game. Each club brings its own unique spirit and local traditions offering lawn bowlers of all skill levels and backgrounds a welcoming place to play, learn and connect.
The following Clubs make up the Pacific InterMountain Division (PIMD): Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club, Palo Alto Lawn Bowling Club, Rossmoor Lawn Bowling Club, Del Mesa Carmel Lawn Bowling Club, San Jose Lawn Bowling Club, San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club, Oakland Lawn Bowling Club, Sunnyvale Lawn Bowling Club, Santa Cruz Lawn Bowling Club, Vacaville Leisure Town Lawn Bowling Club and Fresno Lawn Bowling Club.
What is the Sport of Lawn Bowling
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - Lawn Bowling or lawn bowls is a sport that goes back to at least the 13th century. It has been played internationally since 1905. Over 50 countries participate in international competition, including the USA. The sport is governed by Bowls, USA in the United States and internationally by World Bowls. Lawn bowling is played at the Commonwealth Games and World Games. It is not yet an Olympic sport.
Players roll a "bowl" similar to a ball down a field usually of grass, carpet or synthetic turf called a "bowling green" attempting to have their bowls closer to a small white ball called a 'jack' than their opponents Bowls look like wooden balls but they are not completely round. Each bowl has a bias on one side which causes the bowl to curve or curl in the direction of the bias as the bowl decelerates down the green creating a beautiful arcing path across the green. The sport is relaxing, entertaining and endlessly engaging.
F.A.Q.
What is the size of the lawn bowling greens?
The standard size of a lawn bowling green is 120’x120′ which can accommodate 8 full lanes of play or ‘rinks’. Each rink is 15’x120′. There are no dividers in between each rink. The bowls have a bias which allows them to curve inwards from either the forehand or backhand towards the target white ball or ‘jack’, therefore, the bowls stay inside their own playing area.
Where are the lawn bowling greens being built?
Potential build sites are being explored within Folsom City limits. These sites will need to have proper infrastructure such as parking, restrooms, walkways and lighting. Building the bowling greens at one of the City owned parks where the infrastructure already exists may be ideal but we are expoloring all options on public and private land.
What is the cost of building lawn bowling greens and how will it be funded?
The potential costs of building lawn bowling greens without the infrastructure is approximately $150K. All available private and public funding sources such as loans, donations and grants will be explored. Once built, there will be ongoing maintenance costs. We are looking to establish a NonProfit 501 c(3) Corporation to manage the company.
How many players form a team?
Games are played as Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours. Typically, Singles are played until one player reaches 18 or 21 points. Teams of Pairs, Triples and Fours will play until a specific number of ‘Ends’ are completed. The team with the most number of points at the end is declared the winner. Point systems can vary with each Club and Tournament. Please refer to the offical Rules of Play from Bowls USA for further detailed information and explanation.
Will the Club be open to everyone?
The Club will be open to everyone and will serve the residents of Folsom and the surrounding communities. The Club will provide recreational and competitive opportunies for all ages and ability levels. The Club will allow guests from other Clubs. Club members will participate in Club, Regional and National Competitions.
Is lawn bowling an Olympic sport?
Lawn bowling is currently not an Olympic sport. It has ben featured in the Paralympic games and is played in over 50 countries. In order to be eligible to be an Olympic sport, lawn bowling will need to be played in at least 70 countries. There is cuurently an active campaign to have lawn bowls played in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. Lawn bowling is played at the Commonwealth and World Gam