Fort Mill gets new outdoor ampitheater at greenway
As the Anne Springs Close Greenway approaches its 20th anniversary, it also is celebrating the opening of a new outdoor entertainment venue.
The April 9 opening of the amphitheater comes as the number of visitors to the greenway rose from 149,000 in 2013 to nearly 200,000 last year, said Denise Cubbedge, director of development for the greenway.
In addition to opportunities for enjoying nature, she said, the greenway offers educational and recreation programs, including a summer concert series and other music events.
“It’s a unique venue, not just for Fort Mill, but for the region,” Cubbedge said. “It’s an opportunity to bring higher-level groups and talent to Fort Mill.”
The outdoor amphitheater is near the greenway’s Dairy Barn, with surroundings that will provide a quiet atmosphere during events, she said. It features open-lawn seating and dark stonework.
“It’s so striking,” she said. “We’re really proud we’ve created something that will be here forever and attract a variety of talent.”
The amphitheater is the first project to be completed that is paid for by the greenway’s Nature Needs You capital campaign, which has raised more than $12.5million, Cubbedge said.
The idea for the venue first was discussed in 2010, when planners were trying to figure out how to bring more visitors to the greenway.
The amphitheater is in an ideal spot for people to listen to music and enjoy picnics, Cubbedge said. Visitors can bring lawn chairs and blankets to performances and other events where seating is involved.
“We look forward to seeing how the community will enjoy this space,” she said.
The greenway also is moving forward with the new Mary Warner Mack Memorial Dog Park, expected to open by the end of May. The park will feature 10 to 12 acres of off-leash trails for dogs and their owners, and access to the lake for swimming.
“It will be one of the best dog parks in this region,” Cubbedge said.
Want to go?
Here’s what’s happening at the Anne Springs Close amphitheater in April:
▪ Amphitheater ribbon-cutting ceremony – 4 p.m. April 9.
▪ Wellness Forum – 6:30 p.m. April 15. This forum will include a moderator and three panelists who will discuss the role of nature in health and wellness.
▪ Friends of the Greenway Dinner – 5:30 p.m. April 17. Celebrate the greenway’s 20th anniversary, featuring four-time Grammy Award-winning folk musician and storyteller David Holt, and attorney and naturalist Tom Earnhardt.
▪ Earth Day Celebration – 10 a.m. April 18. Annual Earth Day Celebration offers the first public weekend in the amphitheater, with Grammy Award-winning musician David Holt, Grammy nominee Josh Goforth and The Billy Jonas Band, plus free hiking, kayaking, exhibits and other outdoor fun.
This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 6:43 AM with the headline "Fort Mill gets new outdoor ampitheater at greenway."