LOWCOUNTRY CELEBRATION PARK Recreation plus Education plus Discovery No Grain of Sand Left Unturned BY RISA WILLIAMS MCMILLAN
Hilton Head keeps finding itself recognized on national platforms as a World Class Vacation destination, and our newest addition in the form of family and recreation, Lowcountry Celebration Park, gives us another nod towards this end. No grain of sand was left unturned in the meticulous planning and mind toward detail that can be seen in each footprint of the park as it combines recreation, discovery, and education. The concept behind the park was circulated by the Town Manager and Council twenty years ago. Plans were finalized in 2015 and went out to bid, but Hurricane Matthew had other plans for the Island and everything was put on hold until last year. The site came to fruition with the purchase of land from a failed hotel development, the existence of the overflow parking lot for Coligny Beach, and the procurement of the Putt Putt next to Circle Center. Local architects, Wood +Partners, designed this $14 million project and worked with the town to create a place of pure joy. The location on the south end near Coligny is ideal and the size, just under 11 acres, is large enough to accommodate large open spaces, the synergy of lagoon, grassy 42
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PHOTOS BY ROB KAUFMAN
and paved areas, as well as a sizeable playground and pavilion, but all the while not too big to take an evening stroll around the perimeter. What’s that saying… ? “You can take the girl out of the city but can’t take the city out of the girl”? Well this park isn’t going anywhere. According to Town of Hilton Head’s Urban Designer and park project manager Chris Darnell, “This Park is really well thought out. A lot of parks you could pick up and plop down somewhere else. What is wonderful is that Celebration Park is so rooted in Hilton Head that you could never move this park to another location.” Just take a stroll around the playground for some local culture and history. The Adventure playground is named after The Adventurer – the ship that William Hilton captained when he discovered the Island in the year 1663. This area is not just about swings and slides – kids will learn about the Island as they explore the trail that runs through the playground, mimicking the environment of the Island. The key attraction is the Pirate Ship which is a representation of the Adventurer and will be a
