PRAB Meeting Date: February 5, 2024
To: Members of the Park and Recreation Advisory Board
From: Charlie Fredericks, Streets & Parks Manager
Title
Consider approval of the Cannon River Sportsmen’s Club turning over maintenance of the archery range to the City and relocating the range to Meadows Park.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield Park and Recreation Advisory Board considers a motion to approve the City assuming maintenance responsibility of the archery range and relocating it to Meadows Park.
Summary Report:
The City is beginning construction of a new water treatment facility tentatively scheduled to begin June or July 2024 on the property which the current archery range sits. Due to the proximity of the archery range to the future building, and the existing site being utilized for related infrastructure, the range needs to be relocated. Additionally, the Cannon River Sportsmen’s Club (CRSC) has asked the City to take over the maintenance of the range due to diminishing donations to their Club. CRSC is requesting to donate the existing infrastructure on site (targets, platforms, storage sheds, etc.) to the City, and asking that the City then assume maintenance and upkeep of the range in partnership with the Club.
Staff have discussed possible locations with the City Attorney, and landed on the location needing to be within a city park due to zoning laws. Staff reviewed the park system and potential locations for the archery range to be relocated, and ultimately landed on Meadows Park being the preferred location. Other options that were considered included Hauberg Woods Park and Sechler Park. Meadows is the recommended location due to the available acreage and low use of the vast majority of available parkland, as well as significant additional costs associated with relocating to the other options that were considered.
Staff reviewed the master plan for Meadows Park (attached) and found an archery range would not conflict with the desired increased recreational use of the space. There is currently no planned development nor improvements being discussed to Meadows Park or the surrounding area that would impact or conflict with the proposed archery range location.
Also attached is a graphic that depicts the potential layout of the archery range at Meadows Park, several photos of the existing site, and a map that shows the changes that would be required to the existing walking trails within Meadows Park.
For reference/information: Faribault, Owatonna, Lakeville, Lonsdale, New Prague, and several other cities have archery ranges.
Alternative Options:
The Board could decide not to have an archery range in Northfield and the range would be permanently removed.
Financial Impacts:
$26,720 - estimated cost of initial relocation to Meadows Park (excluding staff time)
$4,000 - estimated annual maintenance costs (excluding staff time)
Tentative Timelines:
Spring 2024 - initial relocation to Meadows Park
2024-2026 - establishment of trees, shrubs, and other landscaping.