ITEM 5 1 Memo Archery Range-PrairiePark-2015ITEM 5.1
TO: Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Ross Demant, Parks and Recreation Manager
DATE: February 12th, 2015
RE: Archery Range at Prairie Park
Background:
During our 2015 summer programming planning, City staff was contracted by a
representative from Archery Country in Rogers about donating targets for an archery
range in the Otsego. Archery Country has worked with the City of St. Joseph in the
past to establish an archery range in that City. Through their work with the Qty of St.
Joseph, Archery County donated all of the targets needed to start a ten lane outdoor
archery range. Each of these retails for $300 and since the range has been operational
Archery County has continued to replace targets for free or substantially reduced rates.
City staff have been in contact with staff from the Qty of St. Joseph about the
operation of their range. One of the topics that were discussed was how they set up
their risk management plan for the range. Their Staff stated that they worked with the
League of Minnesota Cities which provided them with guidelines and rules to follow
both with set-up and operation of the range. These guidelines included location of
targets and rules to post on-site.
City Staff is recommending that the City work with Archery Country to build an archery
range in the southwest corner of Prairie Park has shown on the attached map. The
range would be set-up so participants would shoot north to south for the 20 to 60 yard
and for the three 20 yard target station. Parking would be located northeast of the
range and would be shared with the ball field complex parking. Staff chose this area
due to its remote location and minimal site prep requirements. The estimated costs for
staff time and material target would be $2,500, this cost would go down if the City is
able to work with local Boy Scouts for their Eagle Scout projects. This estimate would
be for the frames of the targets, an ADA compliant access to one of the shooting
stations, and initial mowing of the site and parking area. This area is currently included
in the Prairie Park Master Plan and the City's five year Capital Improvement Plan as part
of a 3 ball field complex addition. Because of the cost for the addition being close to
one million dollars the Qty is currently waiting for a partnering organization to come
forward and assist with construction costs. Staff estimates that in addition to the
donated targets from Archery Country, wooden stands and accessibility for the twenty
yard target station would need to be in place for the park to move forward. Two
prospective Eagle Scouts have been in contact with the Parks and Recreation
Department and have expressed interest in incorporating the archery park with their
Eagle Scout project.
Conclusion:
Staff is requesting that the Parks and Recreation Commission review the material
included in this memo and forward a recommendation to the City Council to start the
process of constructing an archery range at Prairie Park.
Attached:
Ariel Photo of City of St. Joseph's Archery Range
Layout for the St. Joseph's Archery Range
Location for proposed Prairie Park Archery Range
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