Hilton Head Island Plans Groundbreaking Inclusive Playground at Shelter Cove

HILTON HEAD ISLAND — A unique and inclusive playground is set to be built at the Shelter Cove Community Park, following the recent approval from the Town Council of Hilton Head Island. This comes as part of a partnership between the Town Council, Miracle Recreation, a playground manufacturer, and Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to generating opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Should the collaboration proceed as planned, Hilton Head Island could be one of the first municipalities in the country to install a Best Buddies-Miracle Recreation playground. The Town Council members expressed unanimous support for this initiative during their meeting on August 20, endorsing the island’s goal of becoming a more inclusive community.

Although the design of the playground will only be finalized in 2025, Best Buddies has listed potential features on its website. These include the use of poured-in-place surfacing, tiles, or turf for easier mobility across the play area, sensory play opportunities, and equipment beneficial for wheelchair users and children with hypertonia.

On top of the inclusive playground, there are also plans according to the Master Plan for expansion and improvements to Shelter Cove Community Park. Adopted by the Town Council in April 2023, this includes an extension of the existing park’s promenade, a pathway network through a forested area, expanded open lawn spaces adorned with public art, additional parking, and a viewpoint structure with vistas of Broad Creek.

Councillor Patsy Brison highlighted the suitability of Shelter Cove as the location for the inclusive playground due to its popularity. “It’s definitely a high-use playground area and is a beautiful setting,” said Brison, “It’s just incredible. I look forward to seeing it in action.”

The Town will work alongside Best Buddies on the design of the playground as well as on programming and marketing initiatives geared towards promoting inclusivity. The design work is scheduled to commence in 2025, with a budget of $500,000 set aside from the town’s 2025 Capital Improvement Plan. Construction is expected to start in 2026.