On Saturday, October 15, 2016, Glendale celebrated the Grand Opening of the newest amenity at Heroes Park – the Archery Complex. Archery is a sport that seems to be under the radar. Yet as unheralded as it is, there are a lot of archers in the Valley. They were excited and grateful to see this complex become reality for the only other complex is located in the east Valley.
There was one unsung hero in attendance on that bright, beautiful Saturday
morning and that was local realtor and Yucca district resident Tom Traw. If anyone deserves credit for making this complex a reality it is he. For you see, Tom went to Yucca district councilmember Sammy Chavira to pitch the idea. Sammy did nothing, despite his public assertion that as a result of Councilmember Aldama’s idea, he followed up and made it a reality. Nothing could be further from the truth. The thanks and the credit belong to Tom Traw. Tom bull dogged Glendale Parks and Recreation staff when it seemed as if the project had fallen into a black hole. Tom advocated for and kept the pressure on all involved for over 2 years. My thanks and the thanks of all who will enjoy and use this complex go to Tom Traw.
The archery demonstrations were amazing. Eric Bennet, a Paralympian Archer, actually severed the grand opening ribbon and a segment of it was pinned to a target by his shot. 2016 Olympic Archery Coach was surrounded by hoards of young, aspiring archers.
What is even more amazing was the outpouring of support not just from the non-profit community; the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority and the Arizona Game and Fish Department both of whom granted funds to the project; but from local businesses who donated time, material and labor. Without their donations there is no way this project could have become reality.
Lastly, Glendale’s Parks and Recreation Department showcased their innovation
and ingenuity as well. Instead of purchasing the stakes needed to hold down lane markings they were able to manufacture them at a fraction of the cost. They also manufactured the moveable carts that hold the targets. They saved an incredible amount of money. They are to be congratulated for their hard work and dedication to this project.
Congratulations to all who made this amazing complex a reality. Now, it’s time to complete Heroes Park, one of a very few regional parks in Glendale and still not completed as designed after an 18 year wait.
© Joyce Clark, 2016
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Thank you Joyce for your comments. Many of our citizens in the community deserve recognition as we pushed to get this done. Also Mayor Weirs had a big part in promoting the range as well.
Peoria I noticed is getting a new 32 million dollar park up on Lake Pleasant Parkway. Just too bad that Glendale is so slow to complete Heroes Park when Peoria can complete two in such a short time. Hopefully with the new council we can get some quick action on important issues.
Chickins pass an ordinance with a limit depending on the size of the lot. My daughter has six on one acre. They have no more scorpians or bugs anywhere and fresh eggs everyday.
Over 3 1/2 years ago I attended some of the first meetings about the archery range emceed by Parks and Rec Director Eric Strunk and held near the skate park at Heroes Park. I had to chuckle at your comment that Sam Chavira followed up on Aldama’s idea to create the Archery Park. It’s odd in all the meetings I attended I never noticed either of those gentlemen. However, I would say without the persistence of Jerry Wieres, Tom Traw and Erik Strunk the new range would still be a dream. Those gentlemen kept it alive over all these years and made it a reality in spite of the lack of monetary support from the City of Glendale.