Cater’s Lake will soon have a new look.
That is because the City of Anderson broke ground Thursday for the redesign of Cater's Lake, located at 1550 College Ave.
The redesign will feature paved walkways, allowing visitors to navigate the park while enjoying the natural surroundings. Native landscaping will enhance the area's beauty and support local wildlife. Additionally, the project includes creating a bird-nesting habitat and a covered bridge to enhance the park's aesthetic appeal.
This initiative is part of the City of Anderson's 10-year master plan for its Parks and Recreation Department.
The plan focuses on improving public spaces to provide residents with more recreational opportunities and sustainability in the region.
The improvements will cost $5.8 million, funded by a reinvestment of hospitality tax funds.
Anderson City Manager Andrew Strickland emphasized the importance of this funding source. "We invest and reinvest the money the city receives from the hospitality tax specifically for parks and other visitor amenities in Anderson," he said.
The hospitality tax is a collection of funds from a tax on prepared food and beverages.
The City of Anderson hospitality fund is a special revenue fund that supports the city's hospitality industry. The 2024-2025 budget includes $5,915,000 in the Hospitality Fund, marking a 2.78% increase from the previous year.
The project is scheduled to be substantially complete by December 2025.
According to Cater’s Lake project plans, the intersection of Hiawatha Drive and East Greenville Street will be closed permanently to allow SCDOT to install a traffic signal at Mauldin Street and East Greenville Street.
According to SCDOT, the closure will eliminate cut-through traffic adjacent to the park and allow for the creation of an entrance plaza and additional parking for visitors.
The City of Anderson hopes that the revitalized park will attract more visitors to the city.
We couldn't achieve these improvements without the alignment and support of our city council, all moving in the right direction,” Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts said.
History of Cater's Lake Park
Andrew Postelle Cater, a prominent real estate investor from the early 20th century, created Cater's Lake and donated the surrounding land in 1923. This established Cater's Park and Cater's Lake in the heart of Anderson.
Cater's Lake has become a picturesque spot. Enjoy a midday break at one of the many picnic tables offering views of the pond and fountains. Visitors can take strolls along walking paths, which wander through greenery and provide a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
This park is significant to us, but it has deteriorated and is outdated," Strickland said. "However, it has seen better days." He mentioned that some park areas are overgrown, and the topsoil has eroded toward the lake.
Stickland noted that their landscape architecture crew confirmed this issue with the topsoil, emphasizing the need for revitalization efforts to restore the park's natural beauty.
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