Anderson County Celebrates Official Opening Of The Brown Road Fishing Pier

ANDERSON COUNTY, SC – On Friday, March 20, Anderson County conducted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the installation of the new Brown Road Fishing Pier at 612 Brown Road. This project, which began in 2009, was funded by the PCB Settlement Fund, SC National Heritage Corridor Grant, County Game & Fish as well as Anderson County and the Anderson County Legislative Delegation.

“The Fishing Pier at Brown Rd is a sibling project to the new Green Pond Landing & Event Center on Lake Hartwell,” said Anderson County Parks Department Manager.  “Both have been championed by Anderson County Council and all of our recreation partners since 2008.  This new ADA accessible fishing pier is the only one of its kind on Lake Hartwell; offering a Charleston touch to the foothills of Upstate South Carolina.  It also offers an unparalleled opportunity for anglers and families to better access both shallow and deep waters throughout the year.  The floating system allows area residents to safely fish regardless of lake levels and the all-too-familiar slick, red banks.  The end of the pier floats above 14’ of water and is designed to remain operable even during periods of extremely high water levels (5’ above full pool).”

Photo: County Council Chairman Tommy Dunn, SC House Member Mike Gambrell, Councilman Francis Crowder, Parks Manager Matt Schell, Port-Tronics Fishing World owner Dennis Landrum, Touch the Future’s Sandy Hanebrink and SC DNR’s Ross Self cut the ribbon on the brand new Brown Road Fishing Pier.

“On behalf of Anderson County Council, I would like to thank all the funding partners for their unanimous support of this project,” Anderson County Councilman Francis Crowder. “Lake Hartwell has been a hidden gem for way too long. The success and recognition that accompanied the Bassmaster Classic at our newly constructed Green Pond Landing & Event Center last month is evidence of the future of lake-based recreation in Anderson County.  The Brown Road Boat Ramp as well as the Fishing Pier offer residents another family-friendly opportunity to engage Lake Hartwell and enjoy the comforts of a quality lakefront facility.  Anderson County is proud to officially open this facility, which accommodates boating, kayaking, shoreline fishing access, and now a first class, ADA compliant, fishing pier at the Brown Rd Boat Ramp.”

“As a resident of Anderson County and owner of Port-Tronic’s Fishing World of Greenville, I would like to personally thank Anderson County Council and the Parks Department for taking the initiative to make this day possible,” said Dennis Landrum.

“Before arriving at its permanent home, the pier had a brief ‘career in the spotlight’ as a courtesy dock during the 2015 GEICO Bassmaster Classic which was held at Green Pond Landing & Event Center in February,” said Sharon Nicometo, Parks Department. “This was made possible by Anderson County and B.A.S.S. as well as wonderful local sponsors who took the opportunity to further invest in recreation and water sports in Anderson County: Port-Tronics Fishing World, Berkley – the official line and bait of B.A.S.S., Palmetto Boat Center and BuyHartwellLake.Com.”

Brown Rd Fishing Pier fun facts:

• Project inception – 2009
• Phase One – 2013 (Upland, traffic, and pedestrian circulation improvements to include ADA accessibility: sidewalks, parking, and restriping)
  • Designed by Arbor Engineering, ADA oversight: Touch the Future, General Contractor: S and S Construction, Inc.
• Phase Two – 2014 / 15 – (ADA accessible Floating Fishing Pier with ground-out dock system and accessible route installation)
  • Designed by Seamon Whiteside and Applied Technologies Management, ADA oversight: Touch the Future, General Contractor: The Belk Company, LLC.
    • 165’ total length – Ground-out floating dock system
      • 10’ x 80’ gangway
      • 10’ x 65’ fishing deck
      • 20’ x 20’ fishing deck platform on the end
• Future improvements include:
  • Fish attractant lighting underneath the dock portion of the pier
  • Fish habitat enhancements around the pier by SC DNR