Hilton Head to restore beach access starting May 1, but only for residents
Hilton Head Island will gradually reopen its public beach parks and parking lots to beach pass holders starting Friday after officials closed them more than a month ago due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The barriers and signs will be removed from Islanders Beach Park and Coligny Beach Park starting Friday. The two beach parking lots will be open, according to the town council’s plan.
Only cars with town beach passes can use the parking lots, the town resolution states. Although the parking lots will be open, anyone without a beach pass will not be allowed into the lot, and anyone parking illegally will be towed, town communications director Carolyn Grant told The Island Packet.
Beach passes are $30 and available only to Hilton Head Island residents. The passes can be purchased by returning an application available on the town’s website.
The remainder of town beach access points, including Fish Haul, Mitchelville, Burkes, Folly Field, Driessen and Alder Lane, will remain closed until at least May 12, according to the town resolution.
The Hilton Head Town Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to adopt the graduated opening plan. The council will meet again May 12 to discuss the remaining beach access points.
“I think it’s very difficult to open up all the beaches on the island at one time,” Ward 3 representative David Ames said. “It makes imminent sense to do it in phases.”
According to the town’s reopening plan, renting beach equipment such as chairs or umbrellas will not be allowed on any of the island’s beaches. The playgrounds and picnic shelters at all beach access points will remain closed.
Restrooms at both parks will reopen as soon as possible, town manager Steve Riley said.
The Town Council also voted to reopen Jarvis Creek Park and Crossing Park to the public on May 7.
Beach access points were closed by Mayor John McCann starting March 21. While the town did not have the authority to close the beaches, which are all owned by the state, the town has towed vehicles parked illegally near beach parks and access points.
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster allowed local municipalities to reopen beach access points starting April 21. Hilton Head, like many other coastal municipalities in the Lowcountry, chose to keep its public beach accesses closed until April 30.
At least one council member said the graduated plan will cause more issues with reopening.
“We should open all beaches and encourage social distancing, not create bottlenecks at two beaches,” Ward 1 representative Marc Grant said.
But Grant was outnumbered, and town leaders said they recommend that anyone leaving their home continue to practice social distancing and wear masks in public.
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 3:25 PM.
