Development of ultra low background gas proportional counters has made the contribution from naturally occurring radioactive isotopes – primarily α and β activity in the uranium and thorium decay chains – inconsequential to instrumental sensitivity levels when measurements are performed in above ground surface laboratories. Simple lead shielding is enough to mitigate against gamma rays as gas proportional counters are already relatively insensitive to naturally occurring gamma radiation. The dominant background in these surface laboratory measurements using ultra low background gas proportional counters is due to cosmic ray generated muons, neutrons, and protons. Studies of measurements with ultra low background gas proportional counters in surface and underground laboratories as well as radiation transport Monte Carlo simulations suggest a preferred conceptual design to achieve the highest possible sensitivity from an array of low background gas proportional counters when operated in a surface laboratory. The basis for a low background gas proportional counter array and the preferred shielding configuration is reported, especially in relation to measurements of radioactive gases having low energy decays such as 37Ar. •Optimization of a cosmic ray shield to measure environmental radioactive gases.•Proportional counter sensitivity may reach ambient environmental 37Ar concentrations.•Variable length counter method evaluated for low concentration absolute gas counting.•Feasibility of several hour duration preparation of gas samples for 37Ar measurement.