No firm dates yet for reopening the rest of Hilton Head parks and beaches
As efforts to bring tourists back to Hilton Head have ramped up, a timeline for opening the island’s main draws — beaches and parks — is still unknown.
Cleanup of beaches and parks remains a second priority to roadways, said Scott Liggett, town director of public projects and facilities and chief engineer.
About half of the town’s beaches and parks remain closed, including Burkes Beach, Driessen Beach Park and Islanders Beach Park.
Liggett said it is likely that Islanders Beach will reopen in the next couple of days, but when the rest of the beaches and parks will reopen hasn’t been decided.
Debris littering the sites is the reason for a majority of the closings, Liggett said.
Honey Horn remains closed because it is being used as the town’s debris removal site, while the Rowing and Sailing Center at Squire Pope Community Park is damaged after a boat hit its dock.
“We are all anxious to get them open as soon as possible, but we want to make sure that they are safe when we do that,” Liggett said.
While there is no specific timetable for reopening beaches and parks, town officials have said it could take months to complete debris removal in the town.
Beach parks
▪ Burkes Beach
▪ Driessen Beach Park
▪ Islanders Beach Park
Community parks
▪ Betsy Jukofsky Xeriscape Garden
▪ Fish Haul Creek Park
▪ Jarvis Creek Park
▪ Honey Horn
▪ Green Shell
▪ Rowing and Sailing Center at Squire Pope Community Park
Docks and public boat ramps
▪ Old House Creek Dock
▪ Broad Creek Boat Ramp
▪ Marshland Road Boat Landing
Recreational Parks
▪ Barker Field
▪ Bristol Sports Arena
▪ Chaplin Community Park
▪ Cordillo Tennis Courts
▪ Crossings Park
▪ Hilton Head Park (Old Schoolhouse Park)
As of Oct. 29, the following Hilton Head parks have been reopened, according to the town’s website:
▪ Coligny Beach Park
▪ Cordillo Courts
▪ Folly Field Beach Park
▪ Alder Lane beach access
▪ Shelter Cove Community Park
▪ Compass Rose Park
▪ Barker Field Expansion
▪ Veteran’s Memorial at Shelter Cove Community Park
▪ Mitchelville Beach Park
This story was originally published November 2, 2016 at 4:33 PM with the headline "No firm dates yet for reopening the rest of Hilton Head parks and beaches."