Knight Trail Park range partially reopened to the public

Installation of baffles took place over the summer to foster safety

A video still shows a visitor shooting at targets at the park. Image courtesy Sarasota County
A video still shows a visitor shooting at targets at the park. Image courtesy Sarasota County

The pistol and rifle range at Knight Trail Park partially reopened to the public on Oct. 1, Sarasota County announced. The range was closed to the public over the summer during the installation of baffles, a news release notes.

All shooting positions on the 100-yard range are available as part of the phased reopening, the release explains. The remaining areas are expected to reopen as part of Phase 2, which is scheduled to be completed by early November, the release says.

With assistance from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office trustee and work offender programs, Sarasota County staff installed baffles to provide a safer environment for the area beyond the berm at the pistol and rifle range, the release explains. That area will be used by the adjacent Sarasota Trap, Skeet & Clays facility for a new sporting clay course. This county partner is expanding so it can accommodate the growing interest in the sport and have the ability to host regional, state and national tournaments.

Knight Trail Park, located at 3445 Rustic Road in Nokomis, offers archery, hiking and camping in addition to numerous shooting sport ranges and courses, the release points out.

The pistol and rifle range’s regular hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The park will be closed to the general public Oct. 15 as it hosts Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight’s Sixth Annual Corporate SWAT Team Challenge, a community fundraiser benefiting the Sheriff’s Activities League of Sarasota County, the release notes.

For more information, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.