HILTON HEAD ISLAND — A one-of-a-kind playground is coming to Shelter Cove Community Park . With recent approval from Town Council , Hilton Head Island will partner with a nonprofit and a playground manufacturer to bring an inclusive playground to the island. The partnership began with a proposal from Miracle Recreation and Best Buddies, a playground manufacturer and a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
If the town's partnership moves forward as planned, Hilton Head Island would be among the first municipalities in the country to install a Best Buddies-Miracle Recreation playground. It's a move Town Council members were enthusiastic to support with unanimous approval Aug. 20.
"There's a whole section in our town plan that includes us being an inclusive community, and this does that," said Councilman Alex Brown. "To be the first is also something to be celebrated." The design of the playground won't be complete until 2025, but the nonprofit lists a number of features on its website .
The play area will use poured-in-place surfacing, tiles or turf to help those with balance issues or a mobility device explore more easily across the play space. Opportunities for sensory play, equipment for wheelchair users and for children with hypertonia and hypotonia will also likely be included. Story continues below Improvements to Shelter Cove Community Park are also in the works.
In April 2022, town staff and a consultant team developed a project scope for the park's expansion. The Master Plan for Shelter Cove was adopted by Town Council in April 2023 and includes the following improvements: Because of its popularity, Shelter Cove is a good choice for the inclusive playground, said Councilwoman Patsy Brison. "That's definitely a high-use playground area and is a beautiful setting," Brison said.
"It's just incredible. I look forward to seeing it in action." The town will coordinate with Best Buddies on the design of the playground and on programming and marketing meant to promote inclusivity.
Design work will begin in 2025 with $500,000 dedicated from the town's 2025 Capital Improvement Plan. Construction is expected to begin in 2026..
