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Ann Springs Close Greenway
Categories: Active Life Hiking Active Life Parks Active Life Horseback Riding Hiking, Parks, Horseback Riding [Edit]
250 Dairy Barn LnFort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 547-0234
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
5 reviews for Ann Springs Close Greenway
5 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff S.
Just a short drive south of Charlotte is this beautiful park. The park takes its name from a member of the Springs family and contains many historic buildings that either already existed on the land or were located nearby and moved here for preservation.
The park has trails for hikers, walkers, biking, and horseback. Haigler Lake has a launch for canoes and kayaks. Plenty of picnic tables abound with a shelter or two available as well. There is also camping allowed on the property. I'm sure there's more this park offers but that's only the parts I saw.
The barn is quite large and they turned one of the silos into a tower where you can climb the steel stairs inside the silo and view across the park.
There's a trail indicating the great wagon road which was used by traders in early settler days. I found this very interesting because one of maps indicated the path and it went through the area where I grew up in Pennsylvania. So I have my connection to up north at this park. :)
There's a small waterfall off the back of Haigler Lake that is worth a picture or two as well as the lake. On my last visit there was a kayaker fishing on the lake.
For birdwatchers, there's a lot of bluebird activity in this park.
The park ranger at the entrance gate was very helpful and asked if I had been there before and gave a tip on what to see.
There are activity fees for use of the park, currently $3 for hikers and $15 per person for horseback riders. I am sure the fees go toward maintenance of the park.
Definitely worth the trip down to Fort Mill!Listed in: Communing with nature, Fort Mill
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Review from Matthew G.
Waxhaw, NC
12/26/2011
Count me in as a raving fan. This is 30 minutes from my house and when my wife and I want to hike, the choices are slim. The greenway in Charlotte isn't really hiking, Cane Creek is kind of creepy and Kings Mountain is a bit out of the way for us.
This hits the spot. Lots of history, great historic buildings, NOT crowded, in minutes we were on a trail by ourselves and able to enjoy the beauty of the area.
The best part, is they receive NO tax dollars. All supported by donations and contributions.
We will be regulars. -
Review from Brian A.
8/8/2011
Donated by the Springs family, the Greenway is 2300 acres of beautiful nature to be enjoyed by all. Located in Fort Mill, the Greenway offers guests the space to mountain bike, hike, jog, camp, canoe, fish, or ride horses on the many trails offered.
The Greenway charges a single day fee of $3 and monthly and yearly passes are also offered. The Greenway is open at 7 AM and closes around dusk.
I love going to the Greenway! It's always nice to get a breath of fresh air...and there's alot of fresh air to be had at the Greenway. Bring your dog for a walk. Take your kids on a nature exploration. Take some horseback riding lessons. No matter how you choose to use this beautifully preserved bed of nature, you're sure to enjoy yourself!
Try: A smaller hike with the family
Avoid: Three-Leaf plants -
Review from Brian F.
4/14/2011
Just south of the state line not far off of the Carowinds exit lies one of the Charlotte region's hidden gems, Ann Springs Close Greenway. The term "greenway" here is used as meaning a "nature preserve", unlike the most of the greenways in Charlotte which are paths along creeks. ASC Greenway is a 2300 acre privately owned nature preserve, owned by the Springs/Close family. They made a fortune in textiles (we have some Springs towels in our house) but merged with a Brazilian compnay a few years ago and most, if not all, of their local mills are now closed. As development was beginning to encroach the area, the family decided to leave this piece of earth to be undeveloped - and to also be used as education for nature and the environment.
The headquarters of the Leroy Springs & Company http://www.leroyspring... is an old house dating back to the 1700s and was once occupied by the family. It's the type of house that looks like it would be haunted and you'd see on Ghost Hunters. The house sits at one of several entrances to the greenway. This is the one near the "dairy barn". Springs Farms used to sell milk, and this is where the cows were. Though you can still see a few cows roaming in the field, the dairy barn has been converted and is now used for hosting events - including weddings. There are also some horses, goats, donkeys, and mules near this entrance.
The greenway has many trails - all of which are open for walking, and some which are shared for horses and mountain bikes. There are a few lakes, one with a nice one mile trail to walk around, campsites, animals, historic buildings, creeks, a small nature center, the original "Nation Ford" road which was a covered wagon trail, and a lot more. There are often kids events, bird watching walks, and other events like their annual Earth Day celebration which is each April (the ASC Greenway opened on Earth Day so it's also their birthday).
Daily admission is a mere $3 for adults. At most entrances, you put your cash or check in a pre-printed envelope and tear of the tab with numbers that match the envelope, and place said envelope in a drop box. One of the entrances is also usually staffed. The daily admission gets you unlimited access to the trails, but you must be a member to fish. Also, the only entrance for bikes is behind the Leroy Springs Rec Center which is a little further into Fort Mill.
ASC Greenway is an absolutely beautiful nature preserve with a lot of history in it. I'm glad it is very close to mi casa, and I never get tired of going there. You can easily spend a day here hiking, biking, etc, so pack a picnic and go check it out. -
Review from Julia M.
10/26/2011
This is a great place for a hike or a trail-ride and very affordable too. I know someone who had a wedding in the barn (yep, she's a horse person). The barn wedding & reception would have been ok (it's a really nice barn) except that at the time it wasn't air-conditioned and was a litte too warm. If you are not into barn nuptials, the Greenway still has lots to offer!
Listed in: Giddy-up!, Party time!
