Changes at two of Metro's east Multnomah County parks means more room for channeling your inner Robin Hood or Greg LeMond.
Metro's improved archery range has been relocated to Chinook Landing Marine Park, a short distance from its old home at Blue Lake Regional Park.
At Blue Lake, a new 40-Mile Loop connection will help trail users get from Marine Drive to the park.
The new archery range at Chinook Landing includes six targets between 10 and 60 yards, at 10 yard increments.
That's exciting news for Johan Matsumura, who has been practicing archery for more than 30 years.
"I am passing down knowledge of the sport to my daughter in hopes she will love it as much as I do. We can now share a life-long hobby together," Matsumura said. "It's taken up to a decade to get any good; practicing at the new range has enhanced the experience."
Ryan, a longtime bowhunting enthusiast, said he likes the new course.
"The new targets are 100% better and the distances are spot on," Ryan said. "There aren't a lot of ranges – this new archery range at Chinook Landing is the only one I know of on the east side. Most archers practice as much as possible at a range, you don't want to make mistakes while you are hunting."
Jerad and his young son Ethan said "There is a lot of community to the sport; we enjoy sharing thoughts about our equipment – what we like, what works and why."
Now that the course has been relocated, construction is underway on more than half a mile of trail that will travel through a lovely part of the popular Blue Lake Regional Park – at the junction of the Gresham/Fairview Trail and the Marine Drive Trail adjacent to the levee. Pedestrians and bicyclists will soon be able to enjoy a new link in the 40-Mile Loop trail.