MIDDLEBURG – The only thing missing during last Saturday’s open house for the new Clay County Outdoor Adventure Park was the sound of gunfire.

The range, situated on a 158-acre complex off County Road 215 near Camp Blanding, has 30 lanes for gun enthusiasts. The 200-yard range is for long guns, while work is scheduled to complete a 25-yard range for handguns.

County officials joined Sgt. Bradley Crose’s mother, Sheila Russell, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 29. The park is located at Sgt. Bradley Crose Road. It was named after an Orange Park soldier who died in Afghanistan in 2002.

Residents explored the range, asking questions about access and future plans.

“We couldn’t be happier,” said range manager Aaron Davidson. “We had our open house so people could see it and sign up for memberships. We hope to make this self-sufficient where memberships can offset the costs.”

Meg Johnson said she’s glad to have a “real outdoor gun range” where she can practice firing her weapons.

The range will be open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hours will soon be extended to include Fridays. The range will be accessible only to law enforcement Monday through Wednesday, and it will be closed on Sundays, Davidson said.

“I think we’re far enough behind [Oak Grove Baptist Church] that they won’t hear us, but we’re going to close out of respect for the church.”

After backstops for the handgun lanes are completed, Davidson said the park will add archery and skeet shooting. Only targets bought at the range will be allowed.

Shooting guns costs $15 for a county resident and an additional $10 for a shooter sharing the lane. Each lane can accommodate one or two shooters.

Non-county residents will pay $20 and $15 for a shooting partner. Current law enforcement officers with a badge or identification can use the facility for free. Fees for retired law enforcement is $12 and $10 for a partner.

The range also offers an annual membership of $250 for county residents or $200 for retired law enforcement officers, active-duty military and veterans.

Membership perks include lane waitlist priority, three guest passes, a $5 fee for sharing a lane, 10% off pro shop merchandise and a free shirt.

The berm behind the target area is nearly 25 feet high. The area behind targets is filled with ballistic sand to stop projectiles and sifted to remove slugs.