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<br />-(I <br /> <br />Memorandum <br /> <br />. <br />ElI{ <br /> <br /> <br />To: Michelle McPherson <br />From: Assistant Chief Jeff Beahen <br />Date: 09-14-99 <br />Subject: Biathlon Gun Range <br /> <br />Police Department <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Per your request, I made a site visit to the biathlon gun range adjacent to <br />Woodland Trails Park. Two department range officers, Sgt. Brad Rolfe and <br />Investigator Robert Kluntz assisted me in checking this location. We make the' <br />following recommendations based on our observations: <br /> <br />,. <br /> <br />1) <br /> <br />The range is not public-yet there is no indication when one arrives there <br />to indicate that it is not open for public use. The new tarred path leading <br />into the range itself will make it more evident to the public, and once <br />people discover it there is no indication that it is a private facility. To <br />resolve this, we suggest the following: <br />a) Erect signs indicating it is a private range, no public access <br />or trespassing. These signs need to be at the entrance <br />points and at the range firing line. <br />b) Suggest gates be erected on the path to prevent the public <br />from even entering the range area. <br />The range area, specifically the field of fire zone, is not marked at an as a <br />hazardous area. Although the terrain and foliage is such that one would <br />not typically end up behind the impact area, it should still be clearly <br />marked to avoid any accidental wandering into the range itself. <br />The new tar path along the previous railway is very close in proximity to <br />the west border of the range. These two parallel each other, but are only <br />30-35 yards apart. If someone were to wander off the path, walk east <br />over the slight rise and then continue east a short distance, they would <br />end up either in the range, or behind it. These are tremendous safety <br />concerns. There needs to be at a minimum these improvements: <br />a) Immediate signing along the East Side of the path which <br />runs along the West Side of the range stating "DO NOT <br />ENTER - GUN RANGE" or "DANGER-GUN RANGE". <br />b) Consider erecting a barb wire fence along the path to insure <br />that no one tried to walk into the range from the path. <br /> <br />2) <br /> <br />3) <br /> <br />4) The range target area is somewhat in disrepair. They should look at the <br />target boxes as they appear broken and in need work. The backstop is in <br />good shape, made of railroad ties and earth. <br /> <br />Most gun ranges that I am familiar with are equipped with fencing and signs <br />around the entire perimeter of the property. CSt. Louis Park Gun Club, <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway. P,O, Box 723. Elk River, MN 55330. (612) 441-2324. Fax (612) 441-8937 <br />