News Release

Town Acquires 3.04-Acre Waterfront Tract for $3.9 Million

August 15, 2023

The Town of Hilton Head Island purchased a 3.04-acre tract of land at 71 Shelter Cove Lane for $3.9 million, expanding its portfolio of land in this area to 50 acres of waterfront property from Shelter Cove to the Chaplin community.

"I am pleased to announce the successful acquisition of this beautiful waterfront parcel that grants us the ability to protect the precious Broad Creek frontage and create ample opportunities for open spaces, parks, and recreational activities for our residents and visitors," said Mayor Alan Perry. "This acquisition also represents another step forward in our commitment to preserve and enhance the natural beauty that makes Hilton Head Island such a special place."

"Through prudent financial management, we were able to utilize allocations from our real estate transfer fees and state accommodations taxes to make this purchase possible, reflecting shared benefits for both our residents and visitors. We look forward to the transformation of this beautiful waterfront parcel into a vibrant public space in the coming months as part of our parks and recreation initiatives," said Marc Orlando, Hilton Head Island Town Manager.

Once the site of a former Cracker Barrel restaurant, the property is on the northeast corner of William Hilton Parkway and Shelter Cove Lane and is adjacent to several Town-owned parcels. It is bordered on the north by a serene marsh front inlet along Broad Creek and on the west by the trailhead that leads to the Town's recently opened Shelter Cove Sculpture Trail.

The Town envisions the property becoming a vibrant part of its plans proposed for the Chaplin Linear Park. Those plans include extending the pathway and park system that winds along Broad Creek and includes Shelter Cove Community Park, Veterans Memorial Park, and the Shelter Cove Sculpture Trail. The plans also include the construction of a boardwalk over the inlet to connect the newly acquired property to another Town-owned parcel further upstream, unlocking more waterfront trail opportunities along Broad Creek.

For more information on all land the Town has purchased, please visit the Town-Owned Property Dashboard. Also, sign up to receive the Town of Hilton Head Island's e-notifications for updates on property acquisitions, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with the Town's latest news.