Tranquility Wildlife Area Shooting Range Reopens, Accessibility and Safety Upgraded

The Tranquility Wildlife Area shooting range near Seaman reopens today following a series of infrastructure improvements completed this month. The public Class B unsupervised rifle and pistol target range is now open daily from 9 a.m. until sunset, with state permit requirements in effect for annual permits or one day permits. A permanent restroom is under construction and will be completed at a later date.

County and state investments focused on safety and accessibility. Renovations included a new backstop and side berms to contain rounds, a covered shooting line, and concrete ADA walkways to improve access for shooters with disabilities. The upgrades also included parking lot and entry road improvements and two distance options for shooters with 25 and 50 yard ranges that accommodate both handgun and rifle users. Information for visitors includes GPS coordinates and details on permit requirements and pricing.

For Adams County residents, the reopening restores a local outdoor recreation asset used by hunters, target shooters and people seeking marksmanship practice. The covered shooting line and parking improvements should make the site more usable in inclement weather and reduce wear on nearby roads. ADA accessible walkways are a notable equity gain, expanding who can use the facility and aligning the site with federal accessibility expectations.

The range being unsupervised places responsibility for safe operation on individual users. That setup can work for experienced shooters but also elevates the importance of visible safety signage, range rules, and community education to prevent accidents. From a public health perspective, shooting ranges pose specific environmental and health risks that merit attention. Lead exposure from bullets can affect soil and groundwater if not managed, and communities often need clear plans for lead mitigation and regular environmental monitoring. Noise from shooting activity can affect nearby homes and wildlife, which makes scheduling and community communication important.

Policy makers and community leaders will need to weigh the benefits of local access to shooting facilities against these health and environmental considerations. The state permit system provides a regulatory framework, and one day permits can help keep short term access affordable. Still, permit pricing and enforcement practices influence who can use the range and how often, which matters for equitable access across income and ability levels.

As the facility reopens, residents are encouraged to review posted rules and permit information before visiting. The county and state webpages include GPS coordinates and the latest details on permit pricing and requirements. Continued transparency about environmental monitoring, restroom completion timelines and community outreach will be critical to ensuring the renovated range serves public safety, recreation and equity goals for Adams County.