“A lot of parks I see could be picked up and plopped down anywhere in the USA, but not this one. It was built specifically for this space, place, and environment.”
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has long been a family-friendly destination. Visitors who now have children often fondly recall their own childhood visits to the island, spending memorable afternoons on the docks with grandparents or enjoying carefree playtime at the old tree house playground in Sea Pines. This year, as families return, they’ll discover that Hilton Head Island has unveiled a newly completed playground project designed to welcome the next generation to create their own lasting memories.
Lowcountry Celebration Park, a 10-acre site located off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot, was completed in December of 2020. The park features a delightful playground, along with an open pavilion, a lawn, and walkways that glow subtly after dusk. It even houses a Children’s Sandbox Museum, providing both educational and interactive fun, even in inclement weather.
The centerpiece of this park is the Adventure Playground, designed to echo the historic ship named The Adventure, from which Captain William Hilton sighted the island. This innovative playground is surrounded by a safety rubber surface, featuring interactive “cannons” that spray a light mist when a child hits a button. Additionally, it includes various other play structures and a wading pool that simulates the natural ebb and flow of the island’s tides.
The design of the park draws inspiration from the island itself, with architectural features reflected in the pavilion, oyster shell paths enhancing the natural aesthetics, and an art installation in a flood-control lagoon called “Setting Sun.”
The site of the entire park had remained dormant for years and was originally planned for a hotel, though no construction ever occurred. When the town acquired the land two decades ago, a swimming pool and storm drains were present, which were subsequently removed. Over the years, design ideas developed, and eventually, the lead designer Kyle Theordore from Wood + Partners successfully integrated these concepts into a park that is inherently centered on Hilton Head Island. The design plans also include provisions for community events, such as uplighting on trees and electrical outlets near the lawn area, permitting future festivals and booths.
“It is uniquely Hilton Head,” stated Chris Darnell, Town of Hilton Head Island urban designer. “A lot of parks I see could be picked up and plopped down anywhere in the USA, but not this one. It was built specifically for this space, place, and environment.” Consequently, the park is open and ready to provide many seasons filled with safe, outdoor fun for families and children alike.
