Bryson Children’s Nature Walk moves forward

By Sam Walters The Journal

SIX MILE — With the goal of keeping green space for years to come, the Bryson Children’s Nature Walk in Six Mile has seen substantial progress.

Six Mile Mayor James Atkinson shared the town’s progress on the developing conservation and education area, which has been making steady advances toward its ideal opening date of September. 

The property for the public space was donated to the town by the Bryson Estate after Six Mile resident Conrad Ardell Bryson passed away in 2003. As a part of a conservation easement with the town and the property, conserving efforts and development are ensured and are supported by the South Carolina’s Comprehensive Planning Enabling Act.

“With the way development is in this area, green space is almost becoming an extinct thing,” Atkinson said. “We worked for years to pull off a deal with the estate and acquire this property with a conservation easement.”

In following the master plan for the property, upgrades have begun and are continued to be made as support comes from across the Upstate. 

In November, a group of volunteers from surrounding cities raised $6,000 and planted a row of trees along the entrance path towards the upper parts of the nature area. In 2024, construction for the welcome sign and multiple benches was donated by Signature Stone and Stucco in Simpsonville.

“It’s really been from all across the Upstate,” Atkinson said. “The lady who donated the sign has never been here. She said she did it because it was the right thing to do.”

After following the path to the upper area of the property, a gravel lot with handicap access and fencing protects the multiple sections of activity. Two nature trails sprawl off from the main lot area with multiple styles of informational and directional signage, which were made and donated by the late Dennis Chastain, who died unexpectedly in November, and his wife Jane, of Pickens County.

“Dennis, he and his wife designed a lot. They did this work,” Atkinson said. “We are going to put up a sign talking about the work he did, memorializing him.”

Two notable spots include the pond, which is found by following the larger trail, and the garden. So far, half of the garden is filled with individual plots designed for students of Six Mile Elementary and others to use for planting and education. With further upgrades, the garden will have a raised bed of plots, two of which to be handicap accessible, as well as a boardwalk and overlook area for the pond.

“If you’re a child and you plant three tomato plants, that’s a big deal,” Atkinson said. “This promotes children’s outdoor learning activities and gets them out versus sitting and playing on the computer.”

Atkinson hopes to gain more donations and grants and be able to complete the rest of the project within the year, with the construction of the entrance coming soon.