Clearwater has its newest amenity for people who love the outdoors - an archery park. Tuesday, the Clearwater maintenance crew, along with staff from Wright County Parks Dept. spent the day installing 15 archery targets in what was formerly known as the Clearwater Wayside on Co. Rd. 75.

 

The six-plus acre park has 15 targets spaced throughout the upper portion of the park. There are two types of targets: 2’x4’ vertical targets and 3’x3’ square targets. There is also one large 4’x4’ square target not far from the road.

 

“It’s nice for the younger kids because they can get real close,” says Clearwater City Administrator Kevin Kress. “It’s close to the road so they don’t have to walk far from the parking lot.”

 

All the targets are completely white. Kress said they are less expensive and the maintenance crew can spray paint images on the surface.

 

“And some people will bring their own targets or stickers to put on top,” says Kress.

 

The targets were placed in the shade to prolong their life. Kress said sun destroys the targets over time.

 

There are shooting stations where people can aim at different targets in multiple directions. There are also metal stands for hanging bows and arrows.

 

Kress says the archery season is typically May through August, but it may last into October if the weather is good. Then the targets will likely be taken down for winter.

 

He said they city might also invest in some 3-D targets. Those are lifelike reproductions of animals like deer and turkey. The company that makes them also has a variety of other animals.

 

“They make everything - elephants, giraffes, crocodiles, fish, even dinosaurs,” said Kress.

 

The city and county signed a 10-year agreement las October to create the park. The county agreed to 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. The city will maintain the property, including mowing, turf maintenance and trimming.

 

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

 

The archery range can be used at no cost by the general public from sunrise to sunset.

 

The park also has a new name: Clearwater Wayside Archery Park.