The newest greenway addition in Fort Mill is all about kids and farm life
One of the region’s larger recreation spots will carve out space for its youngest guests, with the planned Crandall Bowles Children’s Farm.
The Anne Springs Close Greenway broke ground Saturday in Fort Mill on its newest amenity. The 18-acre children’s farm will be near the stables entrance at the end of Horse Road, close to the stables that long predate the Greenway itself and now host barn and equestrian functions. The site is adjacent to the White Homestead where Close spent her childhood.
Bowles is the former CEO of Springs Industries and the daughter of the late Anne Springs Close. Bowles and Close envisioned the children’s farm use together, and according to Greenway officials Close wanted to name it after Bowles who spearheaded the expansion.
The children’s farm site should be open by late summer.
The Greenway petting zoo will combine with the children’s farm to feature alpacas, horses, ducks, farm birds, rabbits and other animals. A new exhibit hall, loop trail, gathering lawn, educational garden, outdoor learning area and restrooms are part of the project.
Leroy Springs & Co. president and CEO John Gordon said the new children’s farm will become a flagship destination for typical Greenway visitors and school groups.
“Our incredible staff stands ready to help steward this special place for another generation to enjoy, providing an introduction to farm life for visitors of all ages and backgrounds,” Gordon said.
A site plan shows an entrance plaza off a parking area on Horse Road, which leads to the loop trail. That trail splits at a large pond. An alpaca habitat and observation area leads to the exhibit hall, which is across from a horse pasture. The farthest part of the property from Horse Road is the barn animal pasture, with an animal turnout area and the open air learning center.
The Greenway offers a variety of field trips for area elementary school students. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greenway averaged more than 16,000 annual participants in its outdoor education program. The first half of this year, it’s projected that there will be more than 5,000 student participants.
The full Greenway property is a 2,100-acre nature preserve with hiking, horse riding, biking, fishing and other outdoor activities.
This story was originally published April 26, 2022 at 12:06 PM.
