Ted Bruce’s conservation and community work is reflected in the steps he took to protect all the natural resources between Nora Drive and South Parker Road, beginning in 1951. Over the years Mr. Bruce took steps to protect this aquatic system from the impact of development. He also wanted to protect residents who purchased large lots in a neighborhood of minimal density.
In 1956 property Lake owner Ted Bruce planned the Bruce Heights Community that included other homes set back at least 200 feet from the 10 acres of wetlands and waterways generally referred to as Bruce Lake. In 1989 Ted Bruce created the Bruce Lake Covenant to prevent commercial development.
The Bruce Lake waterway connects with a series of ecosystems between Paris Mountain and the Reedy River, including sites where the endangered Bunched Arrowhead plant survives and is a nationally protected species. Along the Bruce Lake waterway the riparian buffers surround Bruce Lake providing spawning and rearing habitat for fish, amphibians, birds, invertebrates and microorganisms. These water flows from Bruce Lake go downstream and become the sources for public drinking water.
Mr. Bruce recognized how quality of life issues depend on good planning. In 1989 he took the legal step to bind any future land owners to a set of rules for how the land, watershed, wetlands and waterway could be used. He filed these requirements with Greenville County in a legal document called the Bruce Lake Easement Agreement and Covenants.
Today, the Bruce Heights community continues to work together and meets regularly to discuss issues impacting the neighborhood and natural resources around.