Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SYRACUSE — When Randy Cook learned that archery ranges were available at some of Utah's state parks, he began looking into how Antelope Island could become one of them.
So, about three years ago, the Davis County resident and frequent park visitor ran the idea by park management.
"We've got one of the most unique settings of all the state parks — the fact that it's wilderness and we've got plenty of room," Cook said, recalling a conversation with Antelope Island State Park manager Jeremy Shaw.
Shaw and others, including the Friends of Antelope Island group, began hashing out the details.
Spencer Kinard, president of the nonprofit organization, told Cook to shoot his shot, admitting Wednesday that the group wasn't really sure how successful the idea would be. But multiple government agencies and commercial entities came together to put together the funds needs to pay for the project.
That work paid off Wednesday with the grand opening of the new Antelope Island State Park Archery Range. The range, located near the Gravel Pit Trailhead at the northern end of the island, features the only 100-yard outdoor target range in Davis County. There are several other targets, including 20-, 30- and 40-yard lanes, accessible for people with disabilities.
Kinard said heavy steel and cement were used for the target stands to make sure that the park's famous bison don't accidentally knock them down, adding that people should not shoot at the bison on the island.
The range is free to use after a visitor pays the park entry fee, and visitors must bring their own archery equipment.
"Having this a new opportunity at Antelope Island, I think, it's a great fit for the park and we're excited to have it," said Wendy Wilson, assistant manager at the park.
Antelope Island continues to be one of Utah's top state park draws, bringing 885,078 visitors in 2022. It's one of three state parks to attract 1 million visitors in a year, which it did in 2021. Utah State Parks data shows Antelope Island has already drawn in a little more than 470,000 visitors in the first five months of this year.
Utah Division of State Parks officials note that interest in archery has "spiked" in recent years. The new range aims to address the growing demand, while also providing the first long-distance archery range in Davis County.
It is a perfect example of ways the division is looking to bring visitors by offering different activities, said Jeff Rasmussen, division director.
"We welcome the visitation. We want people to come to our parks," he said. "This was a great idea and this is going to bring more people to this park. It's going to give people a reason to stay longer in this park, and that's exactly what we want to do."
