OMEN
10-22-2007, 09:37 AM
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) - The city's Archery Park may need a name change. How about No-Archery Park?
Tom Draper was surprised recently when he found a sign that cited a city ordinance prohibiting bows and arrows.
"Several archers that I've talked to are kind of in disbelief," Draper said, who along with his bowhunting friends have practiced archery at the park for more than 20 years.
The park is next to the Eau Claire River, and the city had developed earthen berms and even an archery tower for deer hunters to practice shooting from a platform.
Wooded hillsides helped provide barriers to arrows flying out of the park, but it wasn't enough, Parks Superintendent Phil Johnson said.
The park was closed to archery in September after a neighbor complained of finding an arrow in his yard, Johnson said. It was the latest of several similar complaints from neighbors over 15 years or more, he said.
"Everybody's been most gracious about it up to this point, but the person has a legitimate concern," Johnson said.
Draper said he would like the city to appoint a committee of neighbors, archers and city representatives to review the situation.
AP
Tom Draper was surprised recently when he found a sign that cited a city ordinance prohibiting bows and arrows.
"Several archers that I've talked to are kind of in disbelief," Draper said, who along with his bowhunting friends have practiced archery at the park for more than 20 years.
The park is next to the Eau Claire River, and the city had developed earthen berms and even an archery tower for deer hunters to practice shooting from a platform.
Wooded hillsides helped provide barriers to arrows flying out of the park, but it wasn't enough, Parks Superintendent Phil Johnson said.
The park was closed to archery in September after a neighbor complained of finding an arrow in his yard, Johnson said. It was the latest of several similar complaints from neighbors over 15 years or more, he said.
"Everybody's been most gracious about it up to this point, but the person has a legitimate concern," Johnson said.
Draper said he would like the city to appoint a committee of neighbors, archers and city representatives to review the situation.
AP