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The
Anne Springs Close Greenway operates a trail system that is 32 miles long and growing. Trail maps are posted at all entrances to the Greenway. The colors shown on these maps correspond to blazers or diamond shaped signs posted on the trails. Yellow is used for horseback riding trails. Green is used for bicycling trails. Red designates trails that are set aside for hiking only. Hikers may use ALL trails.
Greenway gates are opened at 7:00 a.m. and close at sunset seven days a week. Dogs are allowed on the Greenway, but must be kept on a leash at all times. No motorized equipment of any kind is allowed on any trails. Check the trail maps for more trail rules. |
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Bridge serenity
Photography by Kelly Culpepper
Photo Album: number 1 of 11  
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PLEASE CALL 548-7252 IN THE EVENT OF RAIN, AS IT MAY CAUSE TRAILS TO BECOME TOO DANGEROUS FOR USE. View and print trail map by clicking below: Trail Map  Click here to learn more about our exciting Guided Nature Walks! Horseback Riding Lessons (Ages 9 and older) Spring Horseback Riding Schedule **Registration for lessons will begin again on March 3, 2008 at 8:00 a.m. at the Horse Barn. Call 548.7252 with any questions. Child Lesson Fees (fee includes four lessons): $55 Fort Mill Resident $65 Non-Fort Mill Resident The children's lessons are one hour per week for four weeks. They are offered on either Monday or Wednesday afternoons at either 3:45 pm or 5:00 pm. Upon completion of the first four weeks, the children may continue for four more weeks of lessons at the same fee. Adult Lesson Fees (fee includes five lessons): $55 Fort Mill Resident $65 Non-Fort Mill Resident Adult lessons are one hour per week for five weeks. They are offered on Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. Horse Trail Programs The Anne Springs Close Greenway maintains an equestrian facility for professionally led trail rides. The trail rides meander through some of the most beautiful countryside left in this region. The trail riding schedule changes seasonally. All riders must be at least nine years old. In order to preserve trail conditions, all horse trails are closed for at least one day following a rain event of one inch or more. After rain and before trailering your horse, please call 803-242-9827 to ensure that the trails are open. All riders must sign up and pay in advance. A sign-up sheet is posted at the Horse Barn on Sunday after 2:00 pm. Horses will be saddled and ready fifteen minutes prior to the trail ride. Trail rides are limited to twelve and once the sign up sheet is full, it will be removed. We suggest you arrive 20 minutes before the ride to allow time for any adjustments. In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, you will be able to reschedule your ride for a later date. The fall trail riding schedule is as follows: Fridays 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Fee $15/person Saturdays 10:00 a.m-11:30 a.m. Fee $20/person Lead Line - Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. $5/person for 30 minutes. Equestrian Camp (for ages 9-14) Applications will be accepted beginning March 3, 2008. We will put the application on the website on Friday, February 29, 2008. The dates for equestrian camp are: June 9-13 June 16-20 June 23-27 Adopt-A-Horse Registrations were held on Wednesday, September 5, 2007. If you are still interested in adopting a horse, we can add your name to a waiting list in the event openings become available. To adopt a horse you must be an experienced rider and know how to groom, bridle and saddle a horse. You must be familiar with our trails. At least three guided trail rides are required by all in order to be eligible to adopt – no exceptions. The fees are as follows: Thursday: Fort Mill Resident $25/month Non-Fort Mill Resident $40/month Saturday or Sunday: Fort Mill Resident $45/month Non-Fort Mill Resident $60/month Trail Descriptions Although we do not have the space on this page to describe every one of the Greenway's fabulous trails, listed below are some of the most popular trails. Nation Ford Trail Walk the same trail used by Native Americans, traders, settlers, and Revolutionary soldiers, including England's Lord Cornwallis' troops on their march to Charlotte, NC in the fall of 1780. The trail is part of the Great Wagon Road that ran from Philadelphia to Augusta, GA. You will cross beautiful Steele Creek on a 125-foot suspension bridge and visit two authentic log cabins dating back to the year 1800. This trail measures about 1 mile in length. Springfield Trail The scenic 1 1/4 mile walk runs from high ground with mixed hardwoods down to Steele Creek, where river cane and wild azalea flourish. Springfield Trail is easy walking but will give one plenty of views of sweeping hills and valleys through the hardwood section. Wildflowers and animal life are abundant. Lake Haigler Trail Stop by the informational kiosk at the nature center entrance and grab a self-guided brochure before you take this 1-mile walk. Beautiful 28-acre Lake Haigler is characterized by hardwoods on one side and pines on the other. Twenty points of interest are listed in the brochure and marked along the trail. Fishing in the lake is for resident members only and a SC Fishing License is required. School Trail Loop In the wooded area adjacent to Fort Mill Middle School, you will find a trail that winds along creek banks and through some beautiful mixed hardwood stands. This trail is a showcase for wildflowers and animal life as well as a great "outdoor lab" for the nearby school. Since this trail has access points at the recreation complex, Avery Lake, and the school, you can hike as much or as little as you want with a little planning. Nation Ford Loop An eight-foot wide concrete trail makes it easy for folks who are physically challenged, have babies in strollers, or just prefer an even surface. The nearly 3/4 mile long trail loop takes one from the parking area beyond the Dairy Barn to an overlook of Steele Creek. In between, you will enjoy the Faris log cabin dating back to the year 1800, a picturesque horse pasture, a log home built in 1780 that was constructed by Billy Graham's grandfather, and a cotton patch. Sugar Loop Trail This bike/hike trail from the Fort Mill Recreation Complex is 3.5 miles in length. The loop starts at the bike/hike trail from the Complex tunnel to Sugar Island and continues south from Sugar Island along the Sugar Creek floodplain and then westward back to the Complex tunnel. Trail Conditions All 35 miles of trails are currently in good order and usable. If you see a safety concern on one of the trails, please call the Greenway Natural Resource Manager, Josh Patterson, at 803-242-9824 and leave specific information so we can remedy the situation. Nation Ford Road Most of the trails between the Dairy Barn and the Nature Center run on top of or beside a national historically significant trail called the Nation Ford Road. The road was a part of the Great Philadelphia wagon road that went from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Savannah, Georgia. It was the first major road on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States of America. For hundreds of years, the path was an important conduit for trade, war, and settlement. If you look closely, you will notice the old roadbed now grown over with trees. In some places, you can see wagon ruts - a reminder of hundreds of wagons' wheels that bumped along the road so many years ago. Volunteer Trail Maintenance Program We have a volunteer trail maintenance program. Volunteers meet with our Natural Resource Manager, Josh Patterson, the last Saturday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at the Greenway Headquarters. This program offers a discount on membership for hours worked. Please contact Josh Patterson at (803)547-1019 or Greenway Headquarters at (803)548-7252 for formalized details on this Volunteer program. Want to know more? Add your name to our mailing list. |