READY, AIM, SHOOT

CONCERT SPOTLIGHT

In a joint collaboration between Marion County Parks & Recreation and the Silver Springs Archers, a nonpro t organization, one of Marion County’s newest recreational facilities, the Silver Springs Archery Range, has opened.

// BY KARIN FABRY-CUSHENBERY

The impressive Silver Springs Archery Range o ers a wide selection of archery targets, including targets between 20 and 50 yards and a four-target, Olympic-style range at 100 yards and beyond. The range also boasts

two complete 3D ranges, “each containing highquality foam targets. As a matter of fact, these are the o cial targets used by the Archery Shooters Association, a national group that organizes tournaments and operates in 30 states.

The newly opened center is user friendly and can accommodate beginners to advanced archers, plus speed bow and crossbow shooting. The shorter-range targets feature concrete shooting lines, making much of the park handicap accessible.

“The Silver Springs Archery Facility is yet another example of Marion County Parks & Recreation partnering with members of the community to create a great outdoor opportunity for our residents and visitors,” says Marion County Parks & Recreation Director Jim Couillard. “We’ve already piqued the interest of archers needing a practice spot during the snowy winters of the north who are drawn by the tournament-ready and 3D targets available at the facility.” And speaking of tournaments, the facility has already hosted several, including a state quali er tournament in late June that brought in more than 100 talented archers.

The range is co-managed by the Silver Springs Archers and Marion County Parks & Recreation, with parks and rec providing general oversight, including the cost for mowing the elds and completing general repairs. The Archers take on the costs for water, power and waste removal, plus the fees associated with maintaining and replacing targets as needed.

Although the facility is most often used by archery club members (both individual and family memberships are available), the range is

THE SILVER SPRINGS ARCHERY FACILITY IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF MARION COUNTY PARKS & RECREATION PARTNERING WITH MEMBERS OF THE open to the general public on Thursday evenings. “The facility was designed to give people COMMUNITY TO CREATE access to the park, from beginners to advanced A GREAT OUTDOOR archers,” says Justin Periko, president of the Silver Springs Archers. “If you’re an archer and OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR have your own equipment and are looking for RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. someplace to shoot other than your backyard, we welcome you out to the range to see what it’s JIM COUILLARD, MARION COUNTY all about.” PARKS & RECREATION DIRECTOR Justin adds that a club member is always in attendance during open hours to answer questions and o er guidance. If you’re new to the sport or don’t yet own your own bow and arrow, you’ll want to stop by Jerry’s Indoor Archery rst, located just o of 441. There you can get your feet wet trying out and purchasing quality equipment. Justin will be happy to assist!

Silver Springs Archery Range // 5227 NE 35th Street, Silver Springs // Silver Springs Archery Club // silverspringsarchers.org or (352) 351-3766