Clearwater will be getting an archery park.

 

Last week, the Clearwater City Council signed an agreement with Wright County to develop an archery range in the wayside rest stop on Co. Rd. 75. The site is owned by the county.

 

Clearwater City Administrator Kevin Kress said the city and county will collaborate on the project. He said the idea is to start off with a few heavy targets, like those at the Hasty-Silver Creek Sportsmen’s Club.

 

“I envision a line where people would stand and shoot at 10 to 15 targets,” he said. “But we’ll have to play it by ear.”

 

There are no specific plans for the site. It may also include benches and trails. But the initial goal is to place targets on site.

 

“If that takes off, maybe we can put some more trails and repurpose it so it’s not just an archery park,” said Kress.

 

He also said there is a possibility in the future of connecting the wayside park with Sportsman’s Park, which is located a short distance across the Clearwater River.

 

Under the 10-year agreement, the county will work with the city to prepare plans for the archery range, including shooting lanes, backstops and a staging area.

 

The county will provide a portable toilet during the operating season of May 1 through Oct. 31 of each year.

 

The city will maintain the property, including mowing, turf maintenance and trimming.

 

The city also has an exclusive right of first refusal to provide concessions to users of the archery range during specially scheduled events.

 

The city and county will split the cost of constructing the range, replacing targets and other target structures.

 

The archery range can be used by the general public from sunrise to sunset.

No work is expected to be done at the park in 2016.