Local

Ponds at two popular Charlotte parks to be drained for what lurks at the bottom

Crews intend to drain the ponds at Freedom Park, pictured here on June 4, 2024, and Park Road Park in Charlotte to remove sediment, trash and debris.
Crews intend to drain the ponds at Freedom Park, pictured here on June 4, 2024, and Park Road Park in Charlotte to remove sediment, trash and debris. pjenkins@charlotteobserver.com

Crews intend to drain part or all of the ponds at two popular parks in Charlotte to remove sediment, trash and debris.

The aim is to improve water quality and public safety at Freedom Park and Park Road Park, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation officials said.

The 7-acre Freedom Park pond will be drained and dredged, and the 11-acre pond at Park Road Park will be partially drained and dredged, according to the department.

The project is scheduled to start this fall at Park Road Park, which will remain open during the work, officials said. Visitors should avoid areas of active dredging.

A jogger runs a path in Park Road Park during a snowfall in Charlotte, NC in February, 2020. Crews intend to partially drain and dredge the pond in the park to remove sediment, trash and debris.
A jogger runs a path in Park Road Park during a snowfall in Charlotte, NC in February, 2020. Crews intend to partially drain and dredge the pond in the park to remove sediment, trash and debris. Charlotte Observer 2020 file photo

Dredging at the Park Road Park pond should be complete by fall 2025, according to the department.

The schedule for the Freedom Park pond dredging is still to be determined.

A virtual public information session for the Park Road Park work is scheduled for 6 to 7 p.m. July 11. The project design team will answer questions.

Register at Pond Dredging Public Input or email Y25150@publicinput.com.

This story was originally published June 26, 2024 at 9:59 AM.

Joe Marusak
The Charlotte Observer
Joe Marusak has been a reporter for The Charlotte Observer since 1989 covering the people, municipalities and major news events of the region, and was a news bureau editor for the paper. He currently reports on breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER