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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15.C.4. Archery Range /5,C. L/ CITY OF SHAKOPEE MEMORANDUM To: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator From: Mark Themig, Facilities and Recreation Director Meeting Date: May 20,2003 Subject: Archery Range INTRODUCTION I am writing to respond to Councilor Link's concern regarding the archery range in Lions Park, and to request direction from Council on this issue. BACKGROUND Earlier this winter, I discussed relocating the archery range with Jerry Hennen from the Lions Club when I met with him regarding their plans to expand the Frisbee golf course. Following that meeting, I also talked to Park Lead Bill Egan regarding possible alternative locations in Lions Park. On May 8th, Jerry Hennen, Bill Egan, Rick Sames (our volunteer archery instructor), and I met at Lions Park to look at alternative locations. Part of that discussion focused on how an archery range should be designed to ensure the safety of the archery participants, as well as other park users. What we learned from Mr. Sames and in follow- up research is that the new bow technology is creates new issues: . With new bow technology, arrows can travel several hundred yards. . Building a berm or constructing a backstop to stop bows isn't the best idea because it "hides" the activity for those who may inadvertently walk up from behind. . An archery location should be segregated from other activities, either in a remote location or by fencing. We agree that the archery range needs to be relocated. However, we have not been able to identify a "perfect" site that is segregated from other activities while providing the necessary buffer zone for arrow travel. The following is a summary of possible locations we considered; however, each has disadvantages: Possible Location DisadvantaQes Lions Park . Misfired arrows could travel as far as (South of warming house shooting toward homes to the east. corn field.) . Misfired arrows may end up in corn field (private property) and could create issues for farmer. . Site may need to be fenced. Huber Park . Work planned for the park. (Shooting toward the hill or toward the . Potential flooding. river.) . Trail along the river. . Misfired arrows could go toward CR101. Community Center . Arrows could damage the building. {Behind the Community Center shooting . Significant use in and around the toward the building. building. Memorial Park . Potential flooding could damage the (Across the foot bridge, shooting in the targets. direction of the river.) . Limited access for maintenance via the DNR trail. (Possible future bridge by DNR could provide easier access.) . Remote location could result in vandalism. We feel that other park and open space locations in the City are either too developed or lack adequate access, parking, and support facilities. DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION There is consensus that the archery targets need to be relocated. At this point, the Memorial Park location seems like the best option. We have identified a site directly north of the footbridge, which is a large open space. The archery targets could be located in such a way that the archer shoots toward the north. As identified above, the area is susceptible to flooding, and could experience vandalism. I discussed this site with Mike Hullander, Public Works Supervisor, and toured the site with Bill Egan, Public Works Lead. It appears that moving the archery range would involve mowing the site to remove brush, relocating the targets, and installing some type of signage. Mr. Hullander and Mr. Egan expressed concern about ongoing future maintenance of the site. I agree, and believe that we would need to ask the archers to take ownership in the range and assist in maintaining the site. This would likely involve formation of an organization such as an archery club to coordinate and assist the City with maintenance, including sharing in the costs of replacement targets at $500-$1,000 per year. Before we proceed any further, it would be helpful if Council could provide direction as to whether or not we want to continue to provide this amenity. In asking this question to Mr. Sames, he feels that if we don't provide the archery range, archers would be more likely to practice in their backyards, possibly creating other issues. I agree with his opinion, and recommend that we investigate Memorial Park further and attempt to get some organized effort from the users. REQUESTED ACTION Council is asked to provide direction on this issue, including: 1. Whether or not we should provide an archery range in our park system. 2. If Memorial Park or some other location should be investigated rther. ~~ Mark Themig Facilities and Recreation Director ... ~ ~ " ~ - . . . ~. ~ ~ ~ - ...~ ~ ,-.0 a; :00