Brick Pond Park

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Brick Pond Park opens at dawn and closes at dusk everyday.

Brick Pond Park is a forty acre restored wetland that functions as a stormwater treatment system. It was developed to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff in the ponds and to improve the ecosystem. Before we started restoration, the system was disconnected and it had little to no dissolved oxygen in the water. The ponds were full of excessive nutrients, trash, industrial debris, and dead/dying trees. There wasn't very much wetland vegetation either. Aquatic species were nearly non-existent, but semi-aquatic species like amphibians and reptiles were still present throughout the system.

water lily North Augusta and the developer(s) of Hammond's Ferry partnered together to determine what could be done to solve this issue. We designed and implemented a plan to improve the ecosystem and create the Brick Pond Park. Through early studies it was found that several elements of a healthy ecosystem were missing that needed to be provided to successfully restore the ecosystem. Also, this would help provide a way to clean the stormwater before it entered the river. These elements included dissolved oxygen, water movement, a connected system, diverse aquatic species, and a variety of plants. The incoming sources of excessive nutrients needed to be identified and eliminated to improve water quality. Our teams worked to fix these problems. The ponds were connected to one another by removing berms that had been present for decades. Waterfalls and pumps were installed near the constructed wetland to provide movement and aeration to increase dissolved oxygen levels. Plants were selected and placed in specific locations to remove pollutants coming into the system with rain water from roadways, yards, parking lots and garden areas.

Trash, sediment, and other pollutants that are brought in through stormwater pipes are filtered-out of the system by using the wetlands that already existed higher on the landscape at the park. These existing, perched wetlands were planted with vegetation and the stormwater was routed to them first. The perched wetlands now act as pre-treatment wetlands and are located adjacent to the constructed wetlands. Once the water is pre-cleaned and reaches the constructed portion, it is filtered again by plants and other biological processes. The clean water is recirculated continuously back through the system by the waterfalls.

To prove the system works, water samples are taken at several locations such as where water enters from storm drains, within the perched wetlands, beyond the constructed wetland, and within the ponds. The sample results continue to indicate that the system is removing pollutants as designed. Other indicators like the improvements in wildlife use, wetland plant colonization, and aquatic species colonization show improved overall water quality at Brick Pond Park. Today the wetlands within the park are much healthier than before and can sustain the abundant wildlife that is required to maintain a healthy wetland ecosystem.

To learn more, many Brick Pond Park Resources are available for download or you may contact the Stormwater Management Department for more detail.

Park Rules

Where to Park?

Parking is available in the Municipal Center parking lot, in the parking garage adjacent to the Municipal Center just across Center St, and at the North Augusta Greeneway entrance off of Riverside Boulevard.

Stay Alert!

alligator, brick pond park, wetland, stormwater, reptiles

Alligators and venomous snakes are present in the park, so stay alert and stay out of the water at all times. Pay close attention to your children and pets to ensure everyone stays safe and enjoys the park. Use common sense, give wildlife their space and never throw anything, shout at, be aggressive toward, or harass them in any way. Never feed any wildlife at the park! If an alligator is fed and becomes accustomed to humans, it may see the human as food and the animal's behavior will change. It is illegal to feed wildlife and waterfowl within any city park in North Augusta. Fines up to $500.00 can be imposed.

Park Rules: Opens at dawn and closes at dusk.

Do not feed wildlife, see ordinance above.

Take only pictures and leave only footprints.

Stay out of the water at all times.

Dogs must be on leash.

Do not drive on trails.

Park in designated areas only.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Always keep children close by and on the trail.

Other rules may apply depending on the conditions, season, and situation. Use proper judgement and common sense to stay safe and enjoy the park.

Fishing Restrictions

Fishing at Brick Pond Park is only allowed in West Pond, as seen in the designated fishing area map. To obtain a City Fishing Permit, contact North Augusta Riverview Park Activities Center. State fishing permits can be acquired through SC Department of Natural Resources.

Holding an Event

Holding small events at the park is permitted without reservation. Please understand that this is a public park and your activities should never block other visitors from any area in the park. If you are planning to hold a large event, please contact Parks and Recreation for more information.

Park History

Up until the 1960's, the area where the park is located was an industrial site. Brick makers, oil companies, and many other industries set up camp on the riverfront. The Savannah River and near by railroads served as an early transportation route. After several flooding events, industry owners abandoned the property for higher ground.

In the late 1990's, a plan was developed to reconnect the citizens with the riverfront. Part of that project involved restoring the wetlands and creating our wonderful Brick Pond Park. The holes made by clay miners had evolved into a sort of wetland system that was in extremely poor condition. There was little aquatic life and low dissolved oxygen in the water. The wetlands needed a restoration after storing piles of industrial trash and debris as well as filling up with polluted stormwater for decades.

The City of North Augusta and partners worked together to develop a healthy ecosystem in the park and provide a way to clean pollution from the stormwater that enters the ponds. Building Brick Pond Park was the result, and what a great park it is!

Park Amenities

What to Do

Biking, walking, or running trials

Wildlife Viewing Pavilion in East Pond

Fishing Dock on West Pond

Waterfalls in Constructed Wetland

Picnic Table and Benches

Canoeing, paddle boating, or row boats

Restrooms available in City Parking Deck

Informational kiosks throughout Park

Plant Identification Trail

Plant Identification Trail

The Brick Pond Park Plant Trail is a path with 25 plants identified throughout the park by markers. The markers are number 1-25. Many of the plants throughout this trail are wetland plants native to South Carolina, and are integral components to the ecosystem as well as the stormwater treatment process at Brick Pond Park.

Katie Beth Cannon and Teresa Thomas helped the Stormwater Department create these signs and develop this trail as part of their 2017 Girl Scout Silver Award Project. New additions to our plant trial will be placed in the park in Spring of 2019.

To discover all about the plants you see on the trail, download a QR code reader from your app store. Scan the plant marker's QR code with a QR Scanner from a your smart phone. Scanning the code will take you to a web-page with more information and photos of the plant.

Plant Trail Map

North Augusta, SC