NORTH AUGUSTA --- They've become unofficial mascots of North Augusta's Greeneway. The alligators of Brick Pond Park, just under the 13th Street Bridge, are on postcards and paintings in the Arts and Heritage Center. Pictures of them are also regularly shared among residents and park users.

Because park use has picked up since its opening last fall, the alligators could become a risk to humans, said Tanya Strickland of the city's stormwater management team.

Mrs. Strickland said visitors are feeding turtles, ducks and other wildlife in the wetlands. As humans continue feeding them, the alligators will be drawn to not only their prey out of water, but also to the humans with food. It's also against state law to feed an alligator.

"You never want them to associate humans with food," Mrs. Strickland said.

Last month turtles came out of the water to Mrs. Strickland at the park, which signaled they were being fed.

About eight alligators are in the ponds that were restored over the past two years. They probably came from the Savannah River but have always been a part of the ecosystem in that area, Mrs. Strickland said.

"People are just now seeing something that's always been there since we've made it accessible," she said.

City councilwoman Pat Carpenter brought up the safety of children at a previous meeting, worried that as school groups used the parks for research, children would be more likely to approach wildlife.

"You just don't know what nature will do because it's nature," Mrs. Carpenter said.

As officials learned, though, if humans don't feed the animals, the wildlife won't be drawn to them.

"It's one of those things that when you live in areas of habitat you use common sense," said Jay Butfiloski, the state Department of Natural Resources alligator program coordinator.

Mr. Butfiloski said he knows of only one severe alligator attack in South Carolina, and that involved a large alligator. Only one alligator in Brick Pond Park is close to 6 feet in length, which Mr. Butfiloski considers nonthreatening. Many are babies.

If an alligator is considered a nuisance, the city can file a removal permit with DNR.

Mrs. Strickland said the city will post more signs warning visitors to not feed any animals.

"People might think they're doing these animals a favor, but if anything they're endangering their life," she said. "We want people to enjoy it, but we want them to respect the wildlife."