Written by Laura Christmas 

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- Clay County officials are planning to celebrate a new facility that’s a first for the county - the Clay County Outdoor Adventure Park will have its open house celebrations on September 29th and 30th. 

The range is located at 3829 Sergeant Bradley Crose Rd in Middleburg. That's on County Road 215 just south of Oak Grove Baptist Church. 

The 200-yard, 30-target-lane gun range is the first aspect to become a reality in the sprawling 158-acre complex near Camp Blanding, off of County Road 215. There are discussions for future expansion on the 158 acre grounds. Construction started on the multipurpose facility in 2022.

County leaders will celebrate the first day of the grand  opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, September 29th at 3:00. An open house will be held on Saturday, September 30th from 10:00-2:00. The open house will include vendors, food trucks, a chance to tour the range, and an opportunity to buy yearly memberships. The range will be open for shooting on October 7th, and shooting will not be allowed at the open house. The public is invited to both events. The open house will be cash-only.

Hours and information

The range is located at 3829 Sergeant Bradley Crose Rd in Middleburg. That's on County Road 215 just south of Oak Grove Baptist Church. 

Range officials are taking a soft-opening approach to the new range to ensure the proper safety, technological, and facility operations are seamlessly in place. Starting October 7, the range will be open to the public on Saturdays from 8:00-4:00. Later this year, the range will be fully open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:00-4:00. During the first several weeks, bays 1-15 will be open, and in the next several months the range will be fully operational. Local law enforcement agencies will use the range for training Monday through Wednesday and it will be closed to the public during that time.

The range accommodates two people in each of the 30 bays. Shooters can use any firearm up to .50 caliber, including semi-automatic and fully automatic firearms. Range staff does reserve the right to deny any firearm that they deem unsafe.

Daily and yearly rates

Daily Rates

Clay County resident: $15.00 per person, $10.00 for second person sharing lane

(maximum two people per lane)

Non-Clay County resident: $20.00 per person, $15.00 for second person sharing lane

(maximum two people per lane)

Current sworn law enforcement officers (must show badge and ID) No charge, $8.00 for second person sharing lane

(maximum two people per lane)

Retired law enforcement officer, active duty military or veteran: $12.00 per person, $10.00 for 2nd person sharing lane

(maximum two people per lane)

Yearly Memberships

Clay County resident: $250.00 per year

Clay County resident - retired law enforcement officer, active duty military or veteran: $200.00 per year

These memberships includes no range usage fees, lane waitlist priority, three guest passes, a $5.00 fee for second person sharing the lane (one per day), a 10% discount off pro shop merchandise, and one free range shirt.

Non-Clay County resident: $300.00 per year

Non-Clay County resident - retired law enforcement officer, active duty military or veteran: $225.00 per year

This membership includes no range usage fees, lane waitlist priority, three guest passes, an $8.00 fee for second person sharing the lane (one per day), a 10% discount off pro shop merchandise, and one free range shirt.

Individuals aged 12-16 are free.

You must be a minimum of 12 years old to use the range, and children ages 12-17 years old need to be under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian to shoot. Shooters between 18-20 must be accompanied by someone over the age of 21 to shoot a handgun.

Residents can set up a yearly pass and make reservations through range staff. Later this year they’ll be able to make reservations on our website and via smartphones. Groups can make a reservation by calling (904) 917-2405. The range accommodates wheelchair access and service animals are welcome.

Multiple safety features are built into the facility, including ballistic sand downrange, a range tower, and a control tower. Shooters will have to complete a safety training video and sign a waiver, and range officials will be onsite at all times while the range is open. The range is also equipped with security cameras and it is well-lit. Range staff will provide safety glasses and hearing protection and will also have that safety gear for sale at the range. Hunting is not allowed.

Honoring a local hero

The Clay County Outdoor Adventure Park is located at 3829 Sergeant Bradley Crose Road in Middleburg, and its address pays tribute to one of Clay County’s local heroes. In July the Board of County Commissioners asked the community to vote for a name for the new road to the gun range. Staff picked several local prominent figures to choose from, and after two weeks of voting, the community voted Sgt. Bradley Crose Road as the official new name. Commissioners approved the name at a Board meeting in July.

Sergeant Bradley Crose, assigned to the 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment was killed in action in the defense of his country during Operation Anaconda outside Gardez, Afghanistan on March 4, 2002. Sergeant Crose joined the Army two weeks after he graduated from Orange Park High School. He attended Basic and Infantry training, Airborne School, Ranger Indoctrination training, and Ranger School at Ft. Benning, GA. Enemy gunfire forced down an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, in which Sergeant Cross and his fellow Rangers were aboard.

For more information

The gun range is the first reality of what is proposed to be a multifaceted, family-oriented outdoor recreational area. The goal for the complex is to create opportunities new to the county for the residents and families to enjoy. To learn more about the range, read FAQs, and get more information, head over to the Clay County Outdoor Adventure Park website.