Hilton Head pickleball courts to close for construction soon. Here’s what’s changing
Even in winter, Hilton Head pickleball players rarely hang up their paddles — but those who frequent Old Schoolhouse Park will soon need a new spot to work on their dinks.
The park’s six courts, located at 152 William Hilton Parkway, will close Monday, Dec. 8, for a major renovation that includes full replacement and upgrades across the site.
Senior Project Manager, Neal Eike, said the work will involve pulling up the existing asphalt and gravel base, installing new surfaces and re-striping — all part of a plan to deliver updates to the community. The parking lots at the park will remain open throughout the project.
What’s changing at Old Schoolhouse Park?
The improvements to the courts coincide with a larger construction effort already underway.
On Nov. 10, the Town of Hilton Head Island began building a new unisex restroom building along with several accessibility upgrades.
That work will continue Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will run alongside the court reconstruction. The courts are expected to reopen in early February.
When the new round of improvements is complete, players can expect not only upgraded courts, but a more accessible and user-friendly park. Site improvements will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act standards and include:
- An additional ADA-accessible parking space
- A new sidewalk connecting the parking lot to the courts
- A new unisex restroom facility with a covered area, water bottle filling station and storage room
Eike said the project’s cost is divided into three parts: the restroom and sidewalk construction, pickleball court replacement and court surfacing, with a combined total of roughly $600,000.
Why the updates?
The courts Old Schoolhouse Park first opened in fall 2023 when the town renovated the existing tennis courts to become dedicated pickleball spaces. The courts have since become popular, with as many as 40 players visiting per day, according to the town.
These renovations align with the 2026–2028 Strategic Action Plan, which focus on park and recreational improvements.
This story was originally published December 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
