UPPER MOUNT BETHEL TWP., Pa. — Two new archery ranges officially were opened Friday in Northampton County, part of a $360,000 partnership with the state Game Commission.
County and state Game Commission officials celebrated the opening of Gerald E. Seyfried Bear Swamp Park and Archery Complex, 1303 Lake Minsi Drive, and Wayne A. Grube Memorial Park, 1200 Willowbrook Road, Allen Township, with events at both locations.
Built by the state Game Commission on county park property, each range cost $180,000, officials said.
While Bear Swamp Park's existing range was refurbished, tearing down and replacing existing structures, the Memorial Park range is brand new.
“If Northampton County's future is green, it's because of the investments the commonwealth is making in Northampton County.”Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure
“One of the things you can regularly hear me say, when I appear at events like this, is that Northampton County's future is green,” County Executive Lamont McClure said during the opening of Gerald E. Seyfried Bear Swamp Park.
“And one of the reasons I can say that is because of the cooperation with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, whether it be the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who's here with us today, or the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, or Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
“If Northampton County's future is green, it's because of the investments the commonwealth is making in Northampton County.”
‘More opportunity for the public’
It was a “historic day” for the state Game Commission, the agency’s range management coordinator, Luke Johnson, said.
“This is one of our first ranges in a 400 Area,” Johnson said. “A 400 Area is land owned by another government or quasi-government entity, and is treated like state game lands through an established agreement.
“Since we don't have game lands everywhere, this is a great partnership for us to build this archery range within a short distance of large population centers.
“Every arrow that is shot here on this range is funding conservation."Luke Johnson, the state Game Commission's range management coordinator
"This range will allow for more opportunity for the public to participate in shooting sports.”
Shooting sports “are critical” to the state Game Commission, Johnson said, as they provide funding through the Pittman-Robertson Act.
Passed by Congress in 1937 and also called the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, the Pittman-Robertson Act established excise taxes on hunting and shooting equipment, as well as ammunition.
The tax funds grant programs that support wildlife conservation efforts, according to the state Game Commission’s website.
“Every arrow that is shot here on this range is funding conservation,” Johnson said.
Formerly called Bear Swamp Park, the range off Lake Minsi Drive was renamed for Gerald E. Seyfried, a former county executive who has been involved in conservation and shooting sports efforts for decades.
A member of County Council in the late 1970s, Seyfried said there was a push to “do something different,” and an archery complex was created across the street from the park, with an Olympic-sized range.
The park, with its original range, was part of a land acquisition in 1990, he said.
“When you do a good job, they name a swamp after you,” Seyfried said, laughing and eliciting a chuckle from the officials gathered.
“I’m only kidding. I’m only kidding. I am very, very, very, very proud to have a part of this nature named in my honor.”
‘Preserving land for active recreation’
Through the agreement, the Game Commission will provide 25 years of wildlife management in Northampton County Parks, McClure said.
“We're not just preserving land to preserve it,” he said. “We are also preserving land for active recreation, and that's what the Pennsylvania Game Commission's commitment right here in Northampton County does.”
Green recreation brings in about $434 million each year to the county, he said.
“My commitment to our green future isn't just about hugging trees — although I will,” he said.
“It's about economic prosperity, because recreation, active recreation, which this represents, draws tourists who will spend money to Northampton County.”
After the ribbon was cut at Gerald Seyfried Bear Swamp Park and Archery Complex, several officials took turns trying out the range.
Arrows loosed from Seyfried, McClure and state Rep. Ann Flood, whose district covers most of Northampton County’s northern tier, including the Slate Belt, hit the bullseye.
For more information, go to the county’s Parks and Recreation website.
