Program to Help Bridge the Gap to Nature through Outdoor Recreation and Education
September 11, 2020 – Fort Mill, SC: For more than 75 years, non-profit organization Leroy Springs & Co. (LSC) has provided affordable, quality recreation and community activities and facilities in the region home to the historic Springs Cotton Mills. Today, LSC strives to make similar recreation opportunities accessible for the next generation. The Anne Springs Close Greenway, owned and operated by LSC, is committed to connecting people to nature through recreational and educational activities that foster a passion for the outdoors. To make the Greenway accessible for all, the LSC Bridge Program provides free or reduced membership and programming for individuals who qualify. With a longstanding history of providing financial assistance in the community and known formally as the Bridge Program since 2018, LSC awarded $186,000 in financial assistance in 2019. The Bridge Program has recently launched an online application process to facilitate connecting even more people to nature.
All families that qualify for financial assistance receive an annual family membership to the Anne Springs Close Greenway, giving them access to the Greenway’s 2,100 acres, 36 miles of trails, lakes and ponds, and myriad of recreational and educational programming. Other qualifying programs include Greenway Summer Camps (ages 3-18), Greenway Outdoor Academy programs, group equestrian lessons, Adopt-A-Horse, select outdoor recreation programs and educational programs, as well as LSC’s FLYERS Afterschool (K-5) located in each of Fort Mill School District’s elementary schools.
“Inherent to the Greenway’s mission of connecting people to nature is the tenet that our programs and property should be accessible to all people, regardless of their ability to afford membership and programs,” explained John Gordon, Executive Director at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. “Now more than ever, the Greenway is an essential community resource, serving as an outlet to the great outdoors and enhancing our community’s understanding and appreciation for nature and conservation. The LSC Bridge Program helps to bring all people to the Greenway to learn and appreciate its natural wonders.”
Each applicant’s circumstances are unique and the Greenway encourages potential applicants to supply as much information as possible regarding extenuating circumstances or financial status. Anyone is eligible to apply. Eligibility is based upon income using the USDA Child Nutrition Program Income Eligibility Guidelines that determine eligibility for free and reduced meals. Other qualifying programs include S.N.A.P. (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), T.A.N.F. (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), among others. Special circumstances are considered on a case-by-case basis.
For questions or to apply, call 803-547-1047 or visit ASCGreenway.org/Join/Financial-Assistance/ to complete the new online application.
About the Anne Springs Close Greenway
The Anne Springs Close Greenway provides a place for the community to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities from fishing, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding to picnics, kayaking and more. The 2,100 acre nature preserve located in Fort Mill, SC is open daily from 7 a.m. to sunset for outdoor recreation enthusiasts and nature lovers to use its 36 miles of trails. The Anne Springs Close Greenway is owned and operated by Leroy Springs & Company Inc., a 501(c)3 organization that receives no government funding for its ongoing operations and programs. The Greenway relies on revenues from its endowment, membership and program fees, and private contributions from individuals, community and corporate partners, and other donors to fund operations and capital needs.
About Leroy Springs & Company, Inc.
For more than 75 years, Leroy Springs & Company, Inc. has provided affordable, quality recreation and community activities and facilities in the region home to the historic Springs Cotton Mills. Today, Leroy Springs is headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, and provides the next generation with similar recreation opportunities, including the Springs Golf course portfolio (Chester, Fort Mill, Lancaster, Springfield), the Anne Springs Close Greenway, (Fort Mill ) and Springmaid Mountain (Spruce Pine, NC). For more information, visit LeroySprings.com.
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