Nolin Ainsworth sights down an Ishapore 2A1 rifle at the Hank Harmon Rifle Range, Dec. 1, 2019. The range will be closed Monday and Tuesday as the brush around the perimeter is cleared by the COVID-19 Conservation Corps. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Nolin Ainsworth sights down an Ishapore 2A1 rifle at the Hank Harmon Rifle Range, Dec. 1, 2019. The range will be closed Monday and Tuesday as the brush around the perimeter is cleared by the COVID-19 Conservation Corps. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Rifle range closing Monday and Tuesday for maintenance

It’s been some time since the hedges were trimmed.

The Hank Harmon Rifle Range will be closed to the public until 3:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday while COVID-19 Conservation Corps members clear brush from the perimeter.

The CBJ’s CCC was recently formed and is funded by federal COVID-19 relief aid.

“So we’re having the edges brushed,” said City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department deputy director Michele Elfers. “The trees grow in, so they’re just going down and trimming the back all along the ranges.”

The range is a free, public-use range, an uncommon concept in the Lower 48.

“We’re one of the few in the country that has an open public range,” said Ari Sassi, the president of the Hank Harmon Public Range Board. “It’s a really special thing. I’m happy that we have one.”

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The board, formed in February after the nonprofit status of the old board had lapsed for some years, has other improvements that they want to make.

“Some of the gutters need to be replaced. We’re going to get new signage out there, more cohesive and similar safety signage,” Sassi said. “Once we get our IRS paperwork back, we look forward to having our first public meeting. “

The first public meeting of the new board for the range will be held in the autumn, Sassi said.

• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757.621.1197 or lockett@juneauempire.com.

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