Glencairn Gardens

Last Sunday, I met up with a college friend in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She suggested we meet at Glencairn Gardens – and what a great idea! This botanical garden is free to visit and a real joy in the spring, especially late March/early April. We caught it post -azaleas, but we were still amazed. It is truly lovely for a public park.

There are three big fountain areas, terraces, bench swings, bridges, waterfalls, wide lush lawns, and more. I highly recommend this hidden gem! When we were there, there were a lot of people taking pictures in the park, from 2nd birthdays to graduates.

Rock Hill as Epcot

Driving around Rock Hill after visiting the Glencairn Garden, it struck me as very Epcot-esque. As in, Disney’s Epcot down in Florida! First of all, there is a large dancing fountain in the center of town just like the Fountain of Nations. It has a “show” – shooting high with different jets in a varied program. It even has that pop when a solid jet of water hits the pool below. (You Disney fans know what I’m talking about!)

Not only that, but an all-percussion orchestra was getting ready to start a concert nearby. Between the Japanese Taiko Drummers and the JAMMitors trash can band, that strikes me as very Disney.

Then they have this town logo on all the street signs that is very old-school Epcot, like the old future world logos. Throw in Glencairn Gardens as a substitute for Victoria Gardens in the Canada Pavilion and Rock Hill feels like Epcot in real life!