L.A. Unveils State-Of-The-Art Archery Facility To Serve 2028 Olympics

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks today unveiled a new, state-of-the-art archery range for the city's archery enthusiasts and future Olympic athletes as L.A. prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2028. The Easton Rancho Park Archery Range underwent an extensive $2 million renovation to replace a smaller, outdated facility with soaring pavilions and four levels of shooting lanes.

"Los Angeles hit the bullseye when we landed the 2028 Olympic Games," said Mayor Eric Garcetti. "The Easton Rancho Park Archery Range is part of an incredible legacy of world-class competition that brings opportunities for healthy recreation to Angelenos of all ages."

City Councilman Paul Koretz, Department of Recreation and Parks General Manager Michael Shull, LA 2028 Chief Executive Officer Gene Sykes, Oscar-winning actress and champion archer Geena Davis, and Easton Sports Development Foundation founders Jim and Phyllis Easton joined Mayor Garcetti in celebrating the grand opening.

"On behalf of LA 2028, we are delighted to celebrate the grand opening of L.A.'s Easton Rancho Park Archery Range, which will provide Angelenos with increased access to a beloved Olympic and Paralympic sport," said Gene Sykes, CEO of LA 2028. "Today's grand opening underscores two of L.A.'s greatest strengths as an Olympic and Paralympic host city: our city's wealth of world-class sports facilities and Angelenos' passion and deep appreciation for sport."  

The Easton Sports Development Foundation built the original archery range in 1983 as a practice facility for the 1984 Olympics. The new open-air structure now features 10m, 18m, 30m and 50m ranges; storage facilities; office space; and an equipment room to serve members of the public who are beginners as well as established clubs, enthusiasts, future Olympians and teams from UCLA and USC.

"The Easton Rancho Park Archery Range is a gift from the Easton Foundations to the City of Angels and the archery community," said Jim Easton, chairman of Easton Sports Development Foundation and a U.S. representative to the International Olympic Committee. "This new facility is part of the continuing legacy that was envisioned during the 1984 Olympic Games to support the great sport of archery." 

The project, which took nearly three years to complete, was spearheaded by Don Rabska, vice president of Easton Foundations. "The new range has a special symbolism, and was designed to be aesthetically pleasing and functional in support of those who pursue archery excellence," said Rabska.

The new archery range is one of several projects achieved through a partnership between the Department of Recreation and Parks and the Los Angeles Parks Foundation. The Foundation has been supporting the city's 50 Parks Initiative, an ambitious plan to acquire and transform parcels of land into new neighborhood parks. It is also helping to improve current parks and recreation programs, with the most recent accomplishment being the upgraded Easton Rancho Park Archery Range.

"This new state-of-the-art archery range represents the best example of public-private partnerships," said Judith Kieffer, executive director of the Los Angeles Parks Foundation. "We're proud to have worked with the Easton Sports Development Foundation and the parks department to bring this new amenity to the public."

The Easton Rancho Park Archery Range is located at the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center and is available for public use, free of charge. Normal park hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., seven days a week for those who bring their own equipment. Beginners' classes and equipment are available on weekends on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information about the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, please visit www.laparksfoundation.org.  

About Easton Rancho Park Archery Range
Originally built in 1983 as a practice facility for the 1984 Olympics, the Easton Rancho Park Archery Range has undergone a massive three-year, $2 million renovation. Thanks to the work of the Easton Foundations, the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, and the Los Angeles Parks Foundation, the upgraded facility will serve the archery community and future Olympians as L.A. gears up to host the Olympics in 2028. Among the few public archery ranges in L.A., the range, which has 10m to 50m ranges, will serve archery enthusiasts and club teams throughout the area. The facility is free for the public, with beginners' classes and equipment rentals available on weekends.

SOURCE Los Angeles Parks Foundation

Related Links

http://www.laparksfoundation.org