Board approves Carter Lake Park renovation package, including covered bridge and signage

The Anderson City review board approved a suite of renovations for Carter Lake Park that staff said will add accessibility, formalized parking, native landscaping and a covered bridge feature.

Staff described a ‘‘laundry list’’ of improvements including paved walkways designed to meet handicapped-accessible slopes in most areas, formalized and striped parking in place of informal roadside parking, native plantings to support pollinators, islands for duck nesting habitat, intersection and pedestrian-crossing improvements, and a covered bridge structure with timber frames and a dark bronze metal roof. Materials called out in staff presentation included harbor-mist timber frames, a darker tongue-and-groove roof decking, painted concrete piers and black-accented steel with stainless-steel tension railing at viewpoints designed to minimize visual obstruction.

Staff also said the application includes monument signage intended to echo the Lindley Park sign approach (corten steel plate and aluminum lettering) so the city can achieve signage consistency across parks. Board members asked several clarifying questions about sightlines, the number and location of signs (staff confirmed at least one monument sign on Greenville and a secondary sign), exact historic-district boundaries and whether lighting would be provided. Staff said lighting details were not finalized and agreed to follow up on lighting plans. Mary Lou moved to approve the full package; Amanda seconded and the motion passed unanimously.