A few misguided arrows led the city of Chanhassen on Thursday to close a popular outdoor archery range at Lake Susan Park because of safety concerns.
Residents on W. Lake Court voiced their concerns at a Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission meeting on Tuesday after one resident reported finding an arrow on his property. The city has received no reports in the past, but neighbors say it's not the first time they've stumbled on an arrow on their property.
The park board voted to temporarily close the range, which has been at the park for 25 years. It's expected to remain closed most of the summer while the city weighs its options.
Stephen Jones contacted the city when he found an arrow on his property this week. Jones, who is an avid bow user, said in an e-mail that he knows when an arrow is shot in the wrong direction.
"Any errant or purposeful shots landing in our (close by) neighborhood with several families is unacceptable," he wrote. "Keep the range, just move it farther way from people and homes. This is pure common sense."
The shooting range area is about 150 feet from the closest property line, said Todd Hoffman, Chanhassen's parks and recreation director.
"I believe these errant arrows are accidental, not intentional," Hoffman said.
City officials are looking at several options, including creating an enclosed range, moving the range or closing the range permanently.
"It's a temporary closure to study the alternatives of what can take place on the property to ensure that no more arrows leave the archery range or the park property," Hoffman said.
The archery range is unsupervised, but safety signs are posted nearby.
Hoffman said a few hundred visitors use the range each week. The range, near the city's business district, is a frequent stop for archers before work or during their lunch break.
The Chanhassen Park and Recreation Commission is encouraging residents to share their comments about the range at a meeting at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at City Hall. After the park board's recommendation, the City Council will decide on the future of the park.
Beatrice Dupuy • 612-673-1707
