FOLEY, Ala. — Dignitaries from the city of Foley and Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, along with students from Foley schools and archery enthusiasts braved inclement weather last week for the grand opening of the Foley Archery Park at Graham Creek Nature Preserve.

The new facility includes an eight-target adult range from 15 to 50 yards, an eight-target youth range of 5 to 20 yards and a four-target range of 10 to 40 yards. According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the latter range includes a 12-foot shooting platform for bow hunters to practice shooting from an elevated position

“We’ve been partnering with them for over two years,” said City of Foley Recreation Director David Thompson.

That cooperation includes the conservation department’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Archery Trade Association and the City of Foley. The result is the establishment of the state’s 10th archery park.

“This is the first one in southwest Alabama,” said. Marisa Lee Futral, Alabama WFFD hunter education coordinator.

This new facility, which cost less than $15,000, has provided an ideal place for a program that is already thriving in the Foley school system with 94 students participating.

“All four schools have an Archery in the Schools program,” Thompson said.

Those programs have been in place since 2008. In that time, Foley Intermediate has earned first-place standing at the state, national and world levels and is currently third in the state, Thompson said.

According to Foley Mayor John Koniar, the addition of the Foley Archery Park is another way to enhance and complement recreation opportunities for the cities residents and visitors.

“I think it’s good,” he said.