A draft of the long-awaited Fort Mill Trail Master Plan was unveiled during Fort Mill Town Council’s Aug. 14, 2023 meeting.

On hand to present the plan to Council were Town Planning Director Penelope Karagounis and McAdams lead project coordinator Haley Nafissi. McAdams is an engineering consulting firm hired by the Town in 2022 to conduct research and gather public input as they created the long-range trail plan. The plan is a community-led initiative that proposes a comprehensive trail network based on input from residents, visitors, key area stakeholders, Town staff, and the Parks and Recreation Subcommittee.

The plan builds on proposed trail facilities developed through the 2009 Carolina Thread Trail Master Plan for York County communities and the 2040 Comprehensive Plan (2020). This Master Plan will also guide future development and ongoing maintenance of trails and side paths to increase active transportation and outdoor enjoyment opportunities. The proposed and existing trail network will eventually connect neighborhoods, commercial corridors, schools, parks, and other popular destinations within and outside of the Town limits.

The 280-page Master Plan document is organized into several chapters, including a review of existing trail conditions, a description of community engagement, trail network recommendations, policy and program recommendations, and ways to implement the trail system. Below, see sample pages from the plan and click the button to read the full draft Trail Master Plan. 

Stormwater Department Hosting River Sweep, Second Saturday Service and More

The Town of Fort Mill's Stormwater Department has a bevy of exciting events and initiatives planned, including its upcoming Riversweep event this fall.

The department is excited to partner again with the Catawba Riverkeeper for their annual Riversweep event to clean up Sugar Creek on Saturday Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will meet in Regent Park at The River Place to access Sugar Creek with the goal of removing as much trash as possible. They are accepting volunteers from middle schoolers up to adult. Click here, or scan the QR code above, to learn more and sign up! Sign up by Sept. 17 to get a Riversweep t-shirt!

Second Saturday Service

The Town and the Anne Springs Close Greenway are once again partnering to offer the litter pickup program Second Saturday Service.

After taking a break during the heat of the summer, Second Saturday returns on Sept. 9 and volunteers can meet at the Blue Star Entrance near the YMCA at the Complex.

In October, it will be combined with the Riversweep event, but if you don't want to get your feet wet in Sugar Creek with the Stormwater Department, then you can join the Greenway who will be leading roadway cleanups.

The last Second Saturday Service event for 2023 will be Nov. 11, and the program will start back again in January for the 2024 series!

Click here for the Second Saturday Service signup link and click here for the Greenway's Riversweep site.

Community Art Project

The Stormwater Department will be bringing South Carolina artist Kirkland Smith to Fort Mill in Spring 2024 for a collaborative community art project.

Smith works with discarded plastics (single use items, broken children's toys, bottle caps and more) to create stunning collage works that she calls Assemblage (see examples of her art below). The Town and the Greenway will host Kirkland at the Greenway Gateway facility where the public can watch her create a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork for the Town. The public will be invited to bring their own plastic items to work into the piece and the Stormwater Department will be working with local schools and organizations to collect items for the workshop.

Further Information

For more information about other upcoming volunteer opportunities, information about the new Stormwater mural at Kingsley Town Center, or details about the Stormwater Art Contest, click the button below.

Fort Mill Rocked Out at Tribute Fest

The Fort Mill Amphitheater was rocking on Aug. 18, 2023, as the Town celebrated Tribute Fest with two amazing tribute bands- Greggie and the Jets (Elton John tribute band) and On the Border (Eagles tribute band)! The event also featured an amazing selection of food trucks and several yard games! Keep an eye on our Town website and social media for other upcoming concerts and events!

Click here to see more photos and watch a video from our event below!

Fort Mill Town Council honored and recognized outgoing Town Manager Davy Broom during their meeting on Aug. 14, 2023. Broom worked for the Town for almost 23 years, with five of those years as Town Manager. Broom left to become the first Public Works Director for the Village of Marvin, NC. Assistant Town Manager Chris Pettit will serve as Interim Town Manager.

During the meeting, Mayor Guynn Savage provided Broom with a plaque to recognize his efforts during his tenure with Fort Mill.

"They say some people come into your life for a reason or a season. Well Davy's in our lives for all the seasons and all the reasons because he's one special human," Savage said. "He's not just a special manager...he is a special man. We're proud of the work you've done, the person you are and the difference you have made."

Broom had a chance to thank Town staff during the meeting.

"As I look at my friends, teammates, some for 23 years, some for just a few months, they have been the best team I could have asked for," Broom said. "Fort Mill is great for one reason and it's them. Our teammates, they put their best foot forward on a daily basis for our citizens and our council and I'm extremely proud and thankful for each and every one of them."

There were plenty of accolades to go around during Fort Mill Town Council's Aug. 14, 2023 meeting, as several new team members were welcomed and others were honored for their achievements.

Assistant Town Manager/Chief Financial Officer Eric Davis introduced the Town's new Human Resources Manager, Becky Link. She will be responsible for facilitating human resources programs, assisting with payroll and insurance, and the recruitment of new employees.

Mayor Guynn Savage welcomed and swore in new Chief Municipal Judge Colin Okoye to his role. Okoye was joined by several family members, including his wife and children who stood with him during the oath of office.

Savage also presented Stormwater Management Coordinator Mina McLean McDonald with a certificate for being named Employee of the Quarter. McDonald was nominated for her work coordinating the new Stormwater mural at Kingsley Town Center.

"She worked tirelessly with the school district, businesses, artists and other municipalities to coordinate efforts, gather resources through grants and donations, organize volunteers and work with students. This project began as a simple idea that Mina was able to grow into the beautiful piece of art that it is today," Savage read from the nomination form. "There's so much more we could say about this young lady, but I can't even find the best words to say how lucky we are to have her as an employee of the Town."

Through Oct. 28: Fort Mill Farmers Market season, Veterans Park, 106 N. White St., 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Sept. 23: Decades Night, Amphitheater, Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., 6-9:30 p.m.

Oct. 6-31: Scarecrow Crawl, Downtown Fort Mill

Oct. 6-8; 20-22: Weekends on Main,, Main Street

Oct. 21: Fort Mill Fall Festival, Amphitheater, Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., 3-7 p.m.

Click the links above or visit www.fortmillsc.gov/TownEvents for more information.

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