News

Today’s blog post comes to us from Darrell Williams, chair of the Anne Springs Close Greenway Board of Managers. Mr. Williams’ article first appeared in the the March issue of Springfield Magazine.

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Evidence abounds about the many health and wellness benefits of being outdoors in nature.

According to research by Dr. Qing Li, a professor at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, only two hours of time spent walking in the woods (without a cell phone!) can reduce blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, improve memory and boost the immune system. It also slashes stress levels and helps you sleep better.

For Springfield residents, the 2,100-acre Anne Springs Close Greenway provides a convenient place to escape from our sofas and electronic devices and take part in year-round recreational and educational activities and events designed to improve our wellbeing and quality of life.

Visit the the Greenway’s website to learn about dozens of ways to get involved and participate in activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, trail running, fishing and kayaking.

Special events are held throughout the year, including Earth Day Celebration (April 27), the Summer Concert Series (weekly, June – August), Fall Frolic (last three weekends in October), the Winter Wonderland Holiday Market (November) and the Greenway Race Series, which features the Blue Star Blitz (March 30), the 3-day Greenway Classic Mountain Bike Adventure (June 8-9), the Treeshaker Mountain Bike Challenge (August 31), and the Springmaid Trail Race (Nov. 2).

And that’s just a sampling of Greenway opportunities. Consider joining some of the Greenway’s affinity groups and clubs, including the Blue Star Blazers Hiking Club, the Haigler Club (young professionals), the Colonel’s Club (a men’s philanthropic and social group), the Greenway Ladies Guild (a women’s philanthropic and social group), and the popular Birding and Photography Clubs.

Springfield kids can also take advantage of the Greenway’s outstanding educational programs that include the FLYERS Afterschool (K-5) program, spring and summer camps, school field trips (arranged by Fort Mill and other area schools), the Nature Explorers Homeschool program, and others.

The Greenway is a nature preserve established in 1995 on land donated by the children of Anne Springs Close. The nonprofit receives no ongoing tax dollars for operations and maintenance, and is funded primarily by membership and program fees and by generous support from individuals and businesses who belief in the Greenway’s mission to “connect people to nature through recreational and educational activities while fostering a passion for environmental conservation, animal habitat, and protection of natural resources.”

If you’d like to get more involved in supporting the Greenway, please contact Guest Services as info@ascgreenway.org or 803.547.4575.