Those who have visited Rock Hill's Glencairn Garden recently have seen it in all its spring glory, a showpiece of landscaping in the middle of the city's historic district. And as ambitious plans move forward for expanding and upgrading Glencairn, it should be even more impressive in the near future.
This is the kid of dedication to landscaping projects that recently earned the city a Genius Loci -- Latin for "Spirit of Place" -- award from the state chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. The award, which was given in conjunction with National Landscape Award Month, cited 11 Rock Hill projects, including Glencairn Garden.
Mayor Doug Echols accepted the award at a ceremony in the garden. But former mayors Betty Jo Rhea and John Hardin also were in attendance. The presence of these former leaders was particularly appropriate because this award was not simply for a group of projects or for the appearance of the city today, but for its dedication to natural beauty and public landscaping for the past 50 years.
