Archery Range: Willowbrook Park's Hidden Gem

Willowbrook Park in Staten Island, New York City, is home to the only free, public archery field in all of NYC. The field has been open for more than 70 years, providing a space for New Yorkers to practice archery. It is used by local organisations offering programmes for youth and adults, competitive leagues, individuals, and the Urban Park Rangers. The field is open for public use daily from 9 am until sunset, and also serves as an off-leash dog area between 7 am and 9 am.

The Willowbrook Archery Range is the only free public archery field in NYC

The Willowbrook Archery Range, located in Willowbrook Park on Staten Island, is the only free public archery field in New York City. The field has been offering a space for New Yorkers to practice archery for over 70 years. It is used by local organisations that provide programmes for youth and adults, competitive leagues, individuals, and the Urban Park Rangers. The range is open for public use daily from 9 am until sunset, and it also serves as an off-leash dog area between 7 am and 9 am.

Willowbrook Park is a unique patch of greenery in Staten Island, providing protected space for wildlife and a variety of recreational facilities. It is one of the most popular Greenbelt parks in the area, offering a peaceful escape from city life. The park caters to hikers with its sylvan expanses and five-acre lake, which is a haven for various bird species. In addition to the archery range, the park features tennis courts, playgrounds, and ballfields.

The NYC Parks department made several improvements to the archery field in the fall of 2021, including installing drainage to eliminate ponding and mud, upgrading signage, aerating and reseeding the field, making it ADA accessible, and reconfiguring the fencing at the entrance to improve visibility and access to the Greenbelt's White Trail. The staff responsible for these improvements received the NYC Parks' 2021 Best Operations Special Project Award.

The Willowbrook Archery Range occasionally offers free archery classes for children between the ages of 8 and 16, with all equipment provided. These classes are taught by expert Urban Park Rangers, who use safe equipment with magnetic arrows and targets. The range provides a perfect opportunity for those wishing to reenact their favourite scenes from Robin Hood or simply hone their archery skills in a safe and enjoyable environment.

It offers free archery classes for children aged 8 and above

Willowbrook Park in Staten Island, New York City, is a unique patch of greenery that offers a peaceful escape for hikers and nature lovers. Among its recreational facilities, the park features an archery range, providing an opportunity for those wishing to try their hand at the ancient skill of archery or even reenact their favourite scenes from Robin Hood.

The archery range at Willowbrook Park occasionally offers free archery classes for children aged 8 and above. These classes are taught by expert Urban Park Rangers, who provide all the necessary equipment, including bows, arrows, and targets. The use of magnetic arrows ensures the safety of participants.

The free archery classes at Willowbrook Park are typically held on weekends and weekdays, with varying timings. Registration is often required for these classes, and interested individuals can refer to the official website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation for specific dates, timings, and registration details.

These free archery classes offer a great opportunity for children to learn a new skill, engage in physical activity, and connect with nature. The classes are suitable for beginners and provide a safe and enjoyable introduction to the art of archery.

By offering free archery classes, Willowbrook Park not only promotes a fun and unique recreational activity but also contributes to the development of focus, discipline, and coordination skills among young participants. The classes cater to a range of ages, creating a welcoming environment for children and teenagers to explore their interest in archery.

The archery range is open to the public daily from 9 am until sunset

Willowbrook Park in Staten Island is home to New York City's only free, public archery field. The archery range is open to the public daily from 9 am until sunset.

The field has been a space for New Yorkers to practice archery for over 70 years. It is used by local organisations that offer programmes for youth and adults, competitive leagues, individuals, and the Urban Park Rangers. The Urban Park Rangers also offer free archery classes for children aged 8 and older, with all equipment provided.

In 2021, the archery field underwent improvements, including the installation of a catch basin and drainage system to eliminate ponding and mud, upgraded signage, aeration and reseeding of the field, improved accessibility, and reconfigured fencing at the entrance to improve visibility and access to the Greenbelt's White Trail.

The field also serves as an off-leash dog area between 7 am and 9 am.

The field serves as an off-leash area for dogs between 7 am and 9 am

Willowbrook Park in Staten Island, New York City, is a unique patch of greenery that offers a variety of recreational facilities. One of its most distinctive attractions is its archery range, which has been open to the public for over 70 years.

The field's dual purpose as an off-leash area and an archery range showcases the park's efficient utilisation of space. By accommodating different user needs, the field contributes to the park's popularity and appeal to a diverse range of visitors. The early morning off-leash hours ensure that dogs and their owners can enjoy the space before archers arrive for their daily practice from 9 am onwards.

The off-leash hours at the archery range field reflect the park's commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all its visitors, whether they are there to hone their archery skills or to spend quality time with their dogs. Dog owners can take advantage of this dedicated time slot to socialise their pets, enjoy the fresh morning air, and make new friends within the local community. It also offers a convenient option for dog owners who wish to engage in some early morning exercise with their furry companions.

Willowbrook Park's archery range field, with its versatile functionality, exemplifies the park's ability to cater to a variety of user needs and foster a sense of community among its visitors. The designated off-leash hours for dogs contribute to a well-organised and inclusive recreational space, making the park a favourite among dog owners and archery enthusiasts alike.

Improvements were made to the field in 2021, including ADA accessibility

Willowbrook Park in Staten Island is a unique patch of greenery, offering a peaceful escape for New Yorkers. The park is a popular spot for hikers and birdwatchers, and it also provides a range of recreational facilities, including tennis courts, playgrounds, ballfields, and an archery range.

The Willowbrook Archery Range has been a fixture of the park for over 70 years, providing a space for people to practice their archery skills. In 2021, the New York City Parks staff made significant improvements to the archery field, ensuring better accessibility and usability for all.

One of the key improvements was making the field ADA accessible. This meant that people with disabilities could now easily access and use the archery range, promoting inclusivity and equality in the sport. This addition aligns with the park's commitment to accessibility, as evidenced by their handicap-accessible Carousel for All Children.

Other improvements included the installation of a catch basin and drainage system to prevent mud and ponding, ensuring a safer and more pleasant experience for archers. The signage was also upgraded, providing clearer directions and information for visitors. The fencing at the entrance was reconfigured to improve visibility and access to the Greenbelt's White Trail, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

The hard work and dedication of the staff who made these improvements were recognised, and they were awarded the NYC Parks' 2021 Best Operations Special Project Award. The upgraded archery field was well-received by the community, with approximately 40 people of all ages attending the grand re-opening in June 2022.

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