F R I E N DS
Sheep, Kids, & a Swinging Bridge
In 1996 when I first visited the ASCG, it was just a baby established the previous year. On that day, with my three year old, I knew we were staying in Fort Mill. We bought a house, planted roots and seven years later I met Ms. Close. She asked me to give a sheepherding demonstration for Earth Day. We brought the first sheep to a pasture near the swinging bridge, where a baby lamb was born a week before that Earth Day celebration. For several years I gave the demonstration, watching the attendance grow annually. I have witnessed the impact the ASCG has had on other families, especially on the kids. Because of that first walk to the swinging bridge, we raised our children here and have fallen in love with Ft Mill - all because of one day on the Greenway.
B eth Chuck
M ember since 2015
Our boys love exploring all of your trails. We have brought all 5 of our pups and their “cousin” as well Our boys love exploring all of your trails. We have brought all 5 of our pups and their “cousin” as well
Donna Melanson Member since 2017
Roots of the G reenway; Memories & Heritage
Mrs. Close told students when they visited the Greenway,
“This has been saved for you and your children to enjoy nature forever.” Having grown up playing, hiking, and riding horses on the property before it was officially the ASC Greenway, I know it is a gift beyond measure!
My Daddy, Billy Barron, was the first Ranger.
“Billy’s Walk” is named for Daddy. He was also instrumental in researching and having the grist mill built along Steele Creek. This grist mill is the mill for which Fort Mill was named in part.
Vereen Brown C harter Member
Scan the QR code to watch a video of this memory!
VIDEO CLIP
THE GREENWAY IS CHARLEY’S HAPPY PLACE - AND OURS!
The Greenway is Charley’s happy place - and ours! We’ve been hiking the trails for years. There’s nothing she loves more than wandering the trails in the middle of nature - and sometimes wondering what those big four-
legged creatures in the distance are (i.e. deer) It calms and relaxes all of us, and sometimes we make new likeminded friends out on the trails. There is no single memory that stands out with us, because they are all outstanding!
Jim
Dobbins M ember since 2014
My husband and I love to attend the Green Gala and have attended since 2020. It’s always fun to get dressed up, mingle with friends and support a great cause. But our favorite aspect of the Greenway is just showing up with our family. Whether walking the trails, petting horses, lunch or live music at the Canteen - we love having the Greenway in our backyard and being able to visit any time we want. Thank you for this special place!
Amanda Henson
M ember since 2023
RAIN RIDERS WALK ON!
Memories start before
ASCG opened to public. I rode Anne Close’s horses and volunteered when Exceptional Equestrian program first started. So many happy moments with the adults and students. Volunteer once and you’re dedicated! I still look forward to this opportunity twice a year.
Getting to know
Anne was wonderful. Went on many Close Encounters packing in with mules, then horse trailers. All time on Anne Springs Close Greenway has been wonderful. Even horse trips when it rained on us! Rain Riders Walk On!
Betsy McLean M ember since 1995
We have SO very many memories from the Greenway over the years. We have been members since 2018 and became Friends of the Greenway this year. The Greenway is a huge part of our lives and we are so thankful for the space and for all of the events throughout the year. We love the concerts, walks, the bridge, hikes, markets, I could go on and on!
Thank you so much!
Caroline Smith M ember since 2018
Earth Day brought our family to the Greenway in 2016. We spent the day exploring the land, meeting new friends, and riding horses. What we did not know then, was that for the next 8 years the Greenway would where we spent many of our most favorable memories. We
have celebrated so many occasions, sought music and fellowship, and also solitude from the world. The Greenway is a space where we can be creative, resourceful, and adventurous. Last year as a family we hiked every trail, however on every hike we
still discover something new. We plan to spend the next 8 years planted on the firm foundation of the Greenway, knowing the world is constantly changing but stillness can always be found in the woods.
Anna Gosney M ember since
2017
ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY
Generations of Laughter & Memories
My husband and I attended the first event when the plan for the Anne Springs Close Greenway was presented. We became Friends and I am still a member. One of the things that we always enjoyed for years was leading one of the hikes on Earth Day. We loved bringing our grandchildren and they had so much fun getting rides on the horses.
Murray was in charge of the cow pile throwing contest for all the years that this event was held. It usually occurred after lunch. For several years, politicians were invited to throw to see who could throw the longest distances. The children thought this was so funny as they did not know what the cow piles were. Then they got to throw as well and even at friends at times. Murray and I enjoyed many walks from the Nature Center to the Dairy barn as well.
Joyce White M ember since 1995
I relish my time at the Greenway, whether I’m jogging along the serene trails or simply basking in the fresh air. Most importantly, I cherish those moments spent with my two canine companions. Although the Lake Haigler entrance is conveniently close to my home, I often find myself parking near the Founders Dairy Barn and completing a circuit that includes a pit stop at the Canteen for a quick bite before heading back.
Mital Naik
M ember since 2021
OUR FAVORITE EVENT AT THE GREENWAY IS THE
LIVE MUSIC.
Our favorites event at the Greenway is the live music. This photo was from June 2023 when we took our newborn son Marshall David (1 month old) for his first concert. His older sisters Charlotte (14) and Caroline (7) loved being able to show him off to our friends.
Amanda Burns M ember since 2022
The Anne Springs Close Greenway is integral to the life of our family. Its beautiful landscape and recreational opportunities provide unending benefits to our health and well-being. It has become our happy place.
Three generations of our family participate together in the many activities the Greenway offers, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, summer camps, outdoor concerts, nature tours, growing flowers at the community garden, trips to Springmaid Mountain, the list goes on.
The Greenway is also a place to enjoy community and connect with others who love the outdoors. Our involvement over the years is motivated by the need to support the Greenway through our volunteer efforts and financial contributions.
We appreciate the rich history of this place and understand the importance of having a 2,100acre nature preserve that will forever provide a welcomed refuge from the continuing urban development surrounding it.
It’s important to mention how much the Greenway trails and dog park mean to our dogs. It’s hard to describe the joy they exude during
their walks on leash, or as they run free in the woods and stream beds at the dog park.
We’re eternally grateful to Anne Springs Close for her vision and dedication in creating the Greenway. Her love of nature, endearing personality, and indomitable spirit inspired us all. We’ll always remember her generosity and her ultimate mission and accomplishment to share the Greenway in perpetuity with generations to come.
As the Greenway reaches its 30th anniversary, we also celebrate the outstanding leadership and efforts of the Close family, the Greenway Board of Managers, and the Greenway management and staff to keep the Greenway strong and wellpositioned for the future. It takes a tremendous amount of planning, hard work, and day-today execution to keep the Greenway running smoothly and we’re thankful for all they do.
Happy 30th anniversary to the Greenway!
Darrell and Elizabeth Williams
Laura and Darren Ciotoli
Paul and Ella Ciotoli
Sally, Lucy and Gracie M ember since 2014
ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY
With great honor I went on a Close Encounter with Mrs. Close to Mount Rogers, VA. She was maybe 91, in a saddle for hours, laying out gourmet picnics, and directing the preparation of fabulous meals. When we reached a swimming hole in the icy mountain stream, Mrs. Close took off her clothes to her swimsuit and got in. When some of us balked, she chided us and basically embarrassed us that we were weaklings who couldn’t keep up with a 91 year old woman.
My second Close Encounter was Mrs. Close’s last in 2019 before Covid hit. We were at Mt. Pisgah National Forest where the skies opened , and thunder and lightening cracked. Mrs. Close steadily rode the edge of the precipice again leading by strong will and example.
My mantra is: What would Mrs Close do? Usually the answer is persevere.
Pamela Mulvaney
M ember since 2016
Anne Close and family announced the greenway at an event held at the Springs Recreation Complex. I believe it was on the 20th Anniversary of the first Earth Day in 1990. I was teaching Earth Science and had my students create an Earth Day project. Amy Dunn Gamble wrote a poem and Anne chose it to be read that day.
Brenda Young M ember since 1995
OCTOBER
14, 1995 WAS THE FIRST EVENT AT THE DAIRY BARN, OUR WEDDING RECEPTION.
October 14, 1995 was the first event at the Dairy Barn, our wedding reception. This was before any renovations. We spent days cleaning out the top and bottom of the barn as it was filled with pigeons and hay.
We had the band upstairs and food downstairs. As we danced upstairs, the dirt rained down on those eating downstairs. It was a wonderful time and we were so blessed to have our reception at this special place.
Tammie Welch
M ember since 2020
A Place to Reset
Our Minds & Hearts
We have always been at the Greenway. From camps and hiking to music and mountain biking. By far the greatest memories at the Greenway were during the Covid lock down. With so few places that we could visit, the Greenway became our go to!
We hiked early in the morning and mid day and at dusk. Some days we went twice a day. It was a refuge. A place where things felt normal and nature replaced stir crazy minds with peace and we could return to learning and working from home with a smile and a settled spirit.
The Greenway continues to give us a sense of relaxation and a refuge from the busy. Visiting the Greenway will always be a place to reset our minds and hearts.
Elizabeth Anderson M ember since
2015
Anne Springs Greenway, a destination for now and the future. Anne Springs Greenway, a destination for now and the future.
We moved to the Fort Mill area in 2019.
We heard about the Greenway and once we visited it, we knew it was an oasis to be enjoyed and preserved for all to have an opportunity to experience it.
With so much development happening, we thought it was extraordinary to have a place to enjoy hiking, walking, kayaking and just being outdoors.
We brought our daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren and 5 years later we are still enjoying our visits. The kids have enjoyed the summer camps and the adults, the Greenway Canteen.
We feel fortunate to be able to be Friends of the Greenway and appreciate the new kids park and petting zoo. Providing an enhanced experience while preserving the open natural space will make Anne Springs Greenway a destination for now and the future.
Bill
Reibl M ember since
2020
We joined the Greenway in 2021 and then joined Friends of the Greenway in 2022 because we wanted to give back to a place that has offered us so much. Whether it’s finding a peaceful spot to unwind, embarking on an exciting adventure, or simply enjoying a quiet moment to reflect, the Greenway has truly become our place. Over the years, we’ve hiked, run trail races, biked, and ridden horses across
the sprawling property, shared laughs,made memories with friends and found countless opportunities to connect with nature.
This place has played a pivotal role in our family’s life, offering us a sanctuary where we can recharge and reconnect with each other. The Greenway is more than just a space; it’s a part of our lives. That’s why we’re committed
to helping preserve this incredible resource for generations to come. We want to ensure that future families can experience the same joy, peace, and adventure that we have found here, and that the Greenway continues to be a cherished refuge for all who visit.
Elizabeth Davis M ember since
2021
ANNE SPRINGS CLOSE GREENWAY
