A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.
Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge is temporarily closed while federal officials assess any damage to trees caused by the recent ice and snow, and to give workers time to remove any potential risks, such as trees that are ready to fall.
The park, normally open all year, could be closed for another week or so, depending upon the weather, said John Shewairy, assistant manager for administration in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office.
“We have limited access to the park so we can assess and tend to any damage to trees caused by the ice and snow of the past couple weeks,” Shewairy said Monday. “Once we have taken care of any potential safety concerns, we’ll restore access to the property.”
Shewairy said federal officials closed the park a few weeks ago during the snow and ice storms.
The re-opening of the park in a week or so depends upon the weather, Shewairy said. The forecast calls for a lot of rain this week.
He said much of the 80-acre park is readily accessible, and officials want to ensure that there is nothing ready to fall that could pose a risk. The park will re-open once the damage from the storms has been assessed, and the property is cleaned up.
Meanwhile, federal officials continue their conversation with Oak Ridge officials about transferring the park to the city as long as it remains a recreational asset, Shewairy said.
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