The rich and powerful in Pasadena, CA are trying to get rid of our archery range. Now, I hate signing these things myself but it does help to have as many signatures as possible. So please - help us preserve this beautiful and historic place and sign this petition:

https://www.change.org/p/the-mayor-and-council-of-the- city-of-pasadena-preserve-the-historic-lower-arroyo- archery-range

Preserve the Historic Lower Arroyo Archery Range

Petition by Pasadena Roving Archers The Historic Pasadena Field Archery Range is a beautiful and historic place. It is the oldest field archery range in the United States and predates the formation of the National Field Archery Association.

This historic range is located in Pasadena's Lower Arroyo Seco Park, recognized for its beauty as early as 1887. In 1935, the Pasadena Roving Archers, under their first President Henry Bitzenburger created the range in the lower Arroyo and, in partnership with the City of Pasadena, have been stewards for the range ever since. Central to the range has been the education of new archers and today this historic Field Archery Range is home to one of the largest all-volunteer run public archery education programs in the country. It is home to world-record holding archers, former Olympic team members and a member of USA Archery’s Junior Dream Team. Parts of the original 1938 Robin Hood movie starring Errol Flynn were filmed in the Arroyo and, more recently, the cast of the 3D blockbuster Avatar were taught the basics of archery on the range. This place is truly a jewel for lovers of natural places, for archers, for people who believe we should protect and preserve historic resources, and for those who believe that dedicated volunteers can make the world a better place.

You can learn more about Arroyo Seco Park on the City of Pasadena website:

http://www.ci.pasadena.ca.us/PublicWorks/arroyo_recreation_and_activities/

You can learn some of the history of the Pasadena Roving Archers in an article, written to mark the PRA’s 75th anniversary, “The Club that Friendship Built” in the October 2010 National Field Archery Association magazine:

http://issuu.com/nfaausa/docs/oct_nov_2010/4?e=6565562%2F4540715

So what lame excuse are these azzhats using to close an archery range?

Is this happening again or is that last year's petition?

They just keep coming up with new tactics. Last year, they wanted archers to share the range with walkers, etc. This time, they want us completely gone.

This is the website for their new group: http://stewardsofpublicland.org/

Jhoniel, I’m wondering if nonresident “outsider” signatures on your petition actually help or hinder your efforts. Seems like resident signatures would carry more weight. Just basing my inquiry on my past involvement in petition drives and challenges.

The Arroyo in Pasadena is a prime location with houses worth millions. The people who lives there want to keep the park to themselves. While I don't live in Pasadena, I still commute there from Los Angeles to shoot. We do have signatures from Pasadena residents but I think it is nice for the opposers to see that the archery community is bigger than they think.

Good luck - sounds like the same fate as Malibu Mountain Archery, that beautiful and historic range eventually turned into million-dollar homes for rich, spoiled libbies. This is part of the reason I no longer reside in California... again, good luck with your efforts.

Actually, there are as many "libbies" and conservatives on both sides. This is not really about politics but about the haves wanting their way and not letting people that is not like them into their community.

What a shame I have shot there as a teenager.

Actually, these are Pasadena elites. We have a bunch of actors as part of the club. The actors from Avatar trained at the Pasadena Roving Archers.

Every Saturday, we have beginning archery classes and about 50 people show up. Our program is actually very popular and maybe that is why the neighbors hate it.

Got the petition off-line from one of our LW friends down there; signed up of course. Forty years ago up here in Berkeley we actually had two archery shops and at least one gun shop. The "Bow Rack" (where I had my first lessons with Norm Malonee) moved out to San Pablo about 25 or so years ago, then to Martinez, & now out of business.

Used to have a range up in Tilden park, gone now for over 20 years. My friend & shooting buddy Michael Lang and I keep a very small range open- but just on Sundays, mostly for kids & short to medium range shots. We have to renew every September, and we won't last forever.

So much open land (especially down at the S.F. Bay shoreline) where it KILLS me that I can't just show up and do some shooting

Thanks Dan. It is frustrating but money talks.

Mark - did you sign it?

When is this vote to take place?

Have you guys read the crap on the stewards website?

see if your range can be listed as a historic landmark. this has worked many times. as an alternate sue the bastards . state how your civil and constitutional rights have been violated. these options give you years , yes years of safety net.

San Francisco Archers had something similar happen a bunch of years ago.

Club members went to the city meetings and were able to share the benefits of the range, etc.

The club compiled lot's of pictures, many with families and children sharing the ranged. The "other" group was trying to paint a negative picture of our "bowhuntng" only club.

It was helpful we had a solid youth outreach program, etc. There was a lot more to it but in the end SFA was able to keep the City owned club.

It also helped to point out the cost of maintaining the property, which is currently done by club members.

Good luck!

DaleHajas, I did read the comments and the worst thing is that if you correct them, the response will not show up. They only publish comments that are against the range.

Rawdawg, that is another option we are looking at. The good thing is that we have a lot more support than they do. Even other Pasadena residents love the archery range.

Seems to be an on-going battle every year to preserve the Pasadena Range-- which is the oldest continuously operating field range in America. Archers first started flinging arrows there in the mid-1920s, (in the vicinity of where the trout pond/casting club is today) years before there was a formal club. This range is a great public resource, with members/instructors donating their time and good efforts to teach archery to the general public and share its special magic. I've shot there myself since the early 1990s, enjoyed its ancient oaks and glorious shade, its challenging targets. This should be on the National Register of Historical Places. The Pasadena Roving Archers are a fine group. They need our help... Shoot Straight, rare breed

Seems to be an on-going battle every year to preserve the Pasadena Range-- which is the oldest continuously operating field range in America. Archers first started flinging arrows there in the mid-1920s, (in the vicinity of where the trout pond/casting club is today) years before there was a formal club. This range is a great public resource, with members/instructors donating their time and good efforts to teach archery to the general public and share its special magic. I've shot there myself since the early 1990s, enjoyed its ancient oaks and glorious shade, its challenging targets. This should be on the National Register of Historical Places. The Pasadena Roving Archers are a fine group. They need our help... Shoot Straight, rare breed

Where's the petition? That link doesn't work for me....

I am not sure why the link does not work sometimes. Let me try this:

http://www.change.org/p/the-mayor-and-council-of-the-city-of-pasadena-preserve-the-historic-lower-arroyo-archery-range

Not sure if this link will work:

It worked for me now thank you

Thanks DaleHajas :)

Can this property be hunted by chance?

No - it is somewhat a preserve. We do see deers, coyotes, even cougars and bobcats in the area...also plenty of rabbits.

Just a thought. Get a crew together and do some demonstrations at the schools. Get the kids out for a lesson or two on a Saturday. Targets shooting only, no hunting talk. Kids are great allies Our 4H program is growing huge by word of mouth. The parents buy into archery teaches life skills such as patience, self control, fitness,coordination, concentration and safety/rule following. You just find some support there amongst the parents. Go to the older community for short demonstrations and remind the seniors of the joy they experienced. Ask them to lend a voice as they may have influence. Shutter, ask the various conservation groups to help preserve the sanctuary the range has occupied for many years,with the caveat it will be a target range, but maintain it's unique character in the area as a santuary Find a sympathetic ear on the council. Get them to share the back door dealings in confidence so you can prepare for open meetings. You have to have ready answers in open meetings, as I will get back does not have the same impact. Review previous fights, look for the winning logic. Gird your loins, man, this may be a fight. You have to ferret out and enlist unlikely allies. Nature groups, botany enthusiast, preservationist. Find them,enlist their help. YOU have to demonstrate the good that open space provides the average citizen

How times have changed, what a shame. I use to live in Cardiff, when I worked for the Calif Div of Forestry, early 70's.

We used old surfboards, for our back stops back than, shot right in the yard, bet you can not do that there anymore.......

the only thing I miss about Calif is Trestles, and they probably got that all screwed up also.......

Terrible what has gone on in that state,,,,, I got to travel that state on my job, there, so diverse, so beautiful, great hunting at one time,,,,,,,,, thats too bad

I wish you the best of luck

Hunting is still good here and a lot of public land in the mountains. Surfing is still good - we just had some real good waves recently. Nothing wrong with living here. I like the people and the diversity of culture and food. Our club have republicans and democrats and what have you. It is just expensive but that is fine with some hard work.

Stikbow - Like I said - our archery program is very successful and families all over LA and beyond attend the classes. It is too successful in fact that our neighbors are probably hating the fact that we park on their street when the Arroyo's parking lot is full.

I hope we get up to 3000 signatures before the meeting with the city.

In a nutshell this is private land that is being threatened, to be overtaken, by a public (govt) entity thru law? I read the comments from the anti-range folks and it gives me that impression......

No it is a public land but in the mind of people who lives there, it is "their Arroyo". The anti range folks are either mis-informed or outright lying about what the archers want.

Ok so the range land is leased/rented? sorry for so many questions....

I don't understand clearly what a user agreement means.

You guys put this on the Facebook Trad pages? I signed but technically a court may only honor the 1st signature.

Any updates?

Going to sign and I'm sharing this on my clubs facebook page...

Good Luck!

I signed it also.

George this has some parallels to the permit that going to be offered to Pa non- hunting game land users. So I want to keep an eye on this.

If you have already registered, please

sign in now

For new registrations

Click Here