ANDERSON — The city park board is considering more than $20 million in projects for the next five years as part of a master plan that is still being developed.

The wish list of projects ranges from Southside Pool Complex repairs to development of a new parks office and a community center.

The board met briefly Tuesday but did not accept the list because it is incomplete. A public meeting regarding the master plan will be rescheduled.

The Herald Bulletin obtained a copy of preliminary plans through the year 2013. The following highlights some of the board’s wish list.

In 2009, the Anderson Board of Parks and Recreation would like to make repairs to the Southside Pool Complex, expand the veterans commons brick area and begin stone repairs of commons and terrace areas at Shadyside Memorial Park.

The first priority listed on the preliminary master plan for 2009 is phase one for the new park board office and community center.

The board is hoping that economic stimulus funding will help make offices energy efficient. Board members would like to add a playground, shelter, courts and a splash pad onto the property of the new offices, which will be moved to the old North Anderson Elementary School.

The board wants to re-set basketball goals at Pulaski Park and order complete landscaping of the skating area at May’s Skate Park. Changes to the skate park may also include concrete repairs and bleachers.

Other wish list items include fence repairs at Walnut Street Park, tree removal at River Bend Park for the western trail extension project, facility repairs and new basketball courts at the Geater Center, a new roof and awning system for the Grandview Clubhouse, and the addition of a splash pad at Shadyside Memorial Park.

The total cost of all wish list projects for 2009 is $4,475,000, but some of the funding could come from the economic stimulus.

In 2010, the park board would like to continue work on the new park offices and install a splash pad and picnic shelters at Pulaski Park.

The board would also like to purchase new uniform park signs and renovate existing shelter and stone work at Shadyside.

The Shadyside Recreation Area covered bridge may also be repaired and painted.

Other plans in 2010 include lights to the existing trail at Pulaski Park, a walking trail, drinking fountain and accessible playground at Meadowbrook Parkway, the remodeling of existing train trestle as a western trailhead with accessibility and parking in the western trail extension, new playground equipment and water fountains at Walnut Street Park, pathways to the playground at the Geater Center, along with a resurfaced parking lot, a building remodel of the Grandview Clubhouse, new tennis courts at May’s tennis courts, fencing at the maintenance building of the parks department.

A new aquatic center and water park would be built through a land acquisition cooperative venture on the south side of Anderson, but the item is listed as the lowest possible priority, and would cost $7 million. With the aquatic center included, all projects for 2010 would cost $9,335,000 and could be funded in part with stimulus dollars.

In 2011, the park board would like to install new parking bollards at Shadyside Memorial Park, a splash pad at Jackson Park and complete phase three of work at the new park offices.

The plan also includes making area parks more accessible under the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Though much of the plans include small repairs and additions that cost under $20,000, a plan in 2013 calls for the complete development and redesign of the Athletic Park, costing $4 million.

The park board would also like to develop the Rangeline Nature Preserve with trails for walking and biking and an education center, at a cost of $5 million.



Contact Brandi Watters: 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com