08/19/2026
Islanders Beach Park Improvements to Enhance Safety, Accessibility and Amenities - Park to close temporarily from Sept. 8, 2026, through May 31, 2027
We recognize this temporary closure may inconvenience park visitors and appreciate your patience as we work to enhance the park. Our goal is to make Islanders Beach Park safer, more accessible, and welcoming for everyone, especially our residents. In response to recent questions and comments, we want to clarify the scope of this project.
In April 2023, the Town Council adopted plans to improve the 15-acre Islanders Beach Park, which has served as a beach access point since its opening in 1999. The master plan addresses community feedback and concerns about the amount of parking and access to the park. Phase One occurred in fiscal year 2024 and included:
- The construction of a 12-foot-wide paver pathway through the center of the park and a raised crosswalk on Folly Field Road leading to the park's entrance;
-New benches, additional golf cart parking, signage, and crosswalk markings; and
-Landscape improvements along the entire pathway.
This current project, Phase Two, was originally scheduled to begin in September 2025 but was postponed while the park served as a beach access point for the Town’s beach renourishment contractor.
Following the recent completion of the beach renourishment project, the Town of Hilton Head Island is moving forward with site improvements at Islanders Beach Park, located at 92 Folly Field Road.
This $5.1 million project is part of the Town's Capital Improvements Program, funded by accommodations tax dollars designated for beach enhancements. The project also advances the Town's Fiscal Years 2026–2028 Strategic Action Plan goal of enhancing parks and recreational amenities for residents and visitors.
Park Closure:
Recognizing this is an active construction site and that the access to the park, drive aisles, parking, pedestrian walkways, playground area, restrooms and other areas of the site will be impacted by the planned improvements, the closure of the park during construction is necessary for public and worker safety. Additionally, closure of the park allows the contractor to work efficiently to complete this work prior to the start of the summer peak season. As a result, Islanders Beach Park, including the public restrooms will be closed beginning September 8, 2026, until construction is complete on May 31, 2027.
Additional Resident Beach Parking and Access:
During the closure, beachgoers are encouraged to use nearby beach parks and public access points, including Folly Field Beach Park and Driessen Beach Park. Throughout construction, the Town will designate 139 resident parking spaces at Driessen Beach Park and 26 resident parking spaces at Folly Beach Park for residents with a valid beach parking pass.
Passholders may also park their cars or golf carts at no charge in any available parking space at all Town beach parks.
For beach visitors requiring accessible access or restroom facilities, please use nearby Folly Field Beach Park or Driessen Beach Park.
Pedestrians may also continue to access the beach through a temporary, mulch walkway that will be placed on the north side of the park. This temporary mulch path will connect to the existing raised pedestrian crosswalk serving Islanders Beach Park.
Park Amenities:
The project will offer several valuable enhancements and amenities for future park visitors. Here’s what to expect:
- A new pathway along the park's southern boundary, beginning at Folly Field Road, providing better connectivity to the surrounding neighborhood and safer crossings for bicyclists and pedestrians entering the park.
-Additional pathways to the boardwalk entrance, upgraded lighting, landscaping, and new plantings to enhance accessibility and safety.
-A rebuilt permeable paver parking area with 213 vehicle spaces, including 187 resident-only spaces - 54 more than currently available - and 26 metered public spaces near the Folly Field Road entrance.
- 24 golf cart resident parking spaces.
- Enhanced stormwater management and drainage to better manage runoff, protect nearby waterways and reduce erosion.
- A redesigned drive aisle layout to enhance traffic flow and visitor safety.
- A new beach-themed, accessible playground featuring STEM elements such as interactive play panels, Braille and sign language panels, non-verbal visual imagery, and musical components.
- New bicycle racks.
- Seating and picnic areas.
Construction Timeline:
Work at Islanders Beach Park will occur in several stages across the site.
- September 2026: Site mobilization, installation of tree protection and silt fencing, and implementation of erosion and sediment control measures.
- October – December 2026: Site preparation activities to facilitate the installation of additional parking, grading and stormwater drainage improvements, and other site renovations.
- December 2026 - February 2027: Construction of walkways, curbs, paver parking areas, asphalt paving, pavement striping, and signage.
- Late February - May 2027: Landscaping, site furnishings, lighting, electrical work, and hardscaping, completing the remaining improvements throughout the park.
Stay Update on this Project: We are excited to enhance Islanders Beach Park for our community. Track the project’s progress through our social media channels and on our website at: https://hiltonheadislandsc.gov/our_island/projects/islanders_beach_park_improvements.php
For questions, contact Scott Harris, Senior Project Manager, at [email protected] or our Communications Team at [email protected].
