News Release

Hilton Head Island Town Council Approves Master Plan for the Mid-Island Tract

November 14, 2022

Plans to turn a portion of the former Planters Row Golf Course, now known as Hilton Head Island's Mid-Island Tract, into a vibrant park celebrating Island ecology and history, has moved closer to reality with Town Council’s adoption of a master plan for the property.

"We are working towards the creation of a best-in-class park for our 103-acre tract, which will be the anchor for our Mid-Island District. This park will serve the entire community, both residents and visitors, and will showcase our Island environment, culture, history, and natural beauty," said Mayor John McCann.

The Mid-Island Tract is bordered by William Hilton Parkway, and Union Cemetery and Dillion roads. As a central gathering space, the tract will reflect the desires of the community and be designed as a welcoming and sustainable park. "We had an engaging public process that allowed our residents and community stakeholders to share their ideas of what they would like to see in this park. Those ideas, coupled with the Town’s significant public investment into this project, have led to a robust and exciting plan. I am confident that this park will be a prized addition to our Island’s network of parks and recreation assets," said Town Manager Marc Orlando.

After strong public engagement including a community survey, stakeholder meetings, and an open park day event, a draft plan for the park was shared with Town Council in May 2022 and a refined plan was shared in September 2022.

The Mid-Island Tract Master Plan, which was adopted on November 1, includes the following components:

• A park with:
  • Space for gatherings including weddings and small music events, a multi-use community facility and other features at the heart of the park.
  • An interactive water feature, open space play areas and a community playground.
  • An open-air market and community gardens that reflect Island heritage.
  • Cultivated gardens, natural gardens and multi-use trails.
  • Eco-center, nature preserve, observation decks, boardwalk and canopy walk.
  • A potential phasing plan that maintains and maximizes public access to portions of the park not under construction.
• Space for relocation of the historic St. James Baptist Church to the park site off Union Cemetery Road.
• Restoration of the existing stormwater system including pond expansion, stream regeneration, habitat regeneration, improved infiltration of stormwater runoff, and increased stormwater capacity for the Mid-Island District.
• A public engagement process to name the park.

The master plan, outlined to occur over six phases, also includes strategies to improve the Ashmore Tract, which is immediately adjacent to the Mid-Island Tract, across William Hilton Parkway. Among the amenities planned are an 18-hole disc golf course, picnic pavilions and restroom facilities.

Orlando said the next step for the project is to define the scope of phase one including the budget, funding sources, and a schedule for design and construction. The Town plans to host a celebration for the project in the coming months.

The Mid-Island Tract Master Plan is available on the Town's website at www.hiltonheadislandsc.gov/midislandtract/. For more information, contact Jennifer Ray, Capital Program Manager, at JenniferR@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or 843-341-4665.