The Rocky River is an urban waterway that flows 50 miles through Anderson County, S.C. It has a long history of degradation and abuse, including channelization of the river in the 1980s and subsequent degradation of adjacent wetlands. Despite that history, the Rocky River and its associated wetlands are poised for a return to prominence due to substantial community interest and the tireless efforts of both local and regional conservation groups. A keystone for this effort is the creation of a nature park on property owned by Anderson University with other surrounding tracts of land. The general study area is approximately 158 acres, including 120 acres owned by the university. The vision for this property is not only to restore and revive a large, suffering ecosystem but to create a transformative, catalytic draw for this area of Upstate South Carolina. An Urban Waters Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through Upstate Forever, a non-profit partner in this undertaking, is playing a significant role in making this vision a reality.
The Lay Of The Land In conjunction with the Rocky River, the project area is comprised of several extensive wetland areas and floodways, features that typically would inhibit any other project, but are key components to this plan. These areas provide habitats for local wildlife that are under duress as an ecosystem. The focus area is situated among several neighborhoods and Anderson University’s Sports Complex. Several abandoned railroad beds (future greenways/trails) intersect the property as well. This sets up a perfect opportunity to connect surrounding communities and provide an open space amenity for all to enjoy.
A Forum For Ideas SeamonWhiteside, as prime consultant, led a design charrette and idea- sharing session for stakeholders within the community. This event provided the design team with gainful insights into the history of the area, and a platform for stakeholders to voice ideas, as well as to express the needs of the community. The charrette/public workshop approach stimulated public awareness, involvement, and support. The design team also utilized preliminary findings of a hydrological study to confirm the feasibility of ideas and sketches that arose from the charrette process. This led to the design phase of the project, where conceptual plans and focus-area studies were further refined and presented to the stakeholders. Following feedback from those meetings, a final master plan was developed, costs were analyzed for implementation, and a plan was created to connect educational opportunities, facilitate public/private partnerships, and support voluntary efforts within the community.