Pedestrian Access-gate to Driessen Beach Park

On May 15, 2023 – without warning – the Town of Hilton Head Island abruptly boarded-up the access-gate between the Driessen Beach Park and Bradley Circle – cutting-off this amazing local park for everyone south of the park. While they claimed it was a security issue; a FOIA request confirmed what we already knew – that there was no crime to speak of – and that it’s closure was politically motivated. Some newer residents (referred to as ‘Com’yahs’ by the Gullah locals) simply desire more exclusivity – to be more like the ‘Plantations’ – where most island residents live. But these neighborhoods are NOT gated-communities (which is the reason that most of us chose to live here in the first place).

This park-access is a legal, public access-easement – and not a single crime was ever directly attributed to the existence of this access-gate. For over thirty-years (since the Driessen family transferred the 11.77 Acres of land at the park to the Town), there has been an access-gate which has allowed these two historic native-islander neighborhoods to be connected. This connection enabled the locals and visitors to enjoy this lovely/shady park and to move between Chaplin Park and Driessen Park. The park also has the primary, well-maintained beach-access boardwalk for Bradley Circle and Sandy Beach Trail residents and guests to be able to safely access the beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

The closure was improper, and that is the reason that the Town has yet to provide answers or a simple solution (a security camera on location – like every other park-entrance). This action was an abuse of power by those who wish for a more exclusive neighborhood for the newcomers – every one of whom purchased their property with this pedestrian park-access in-place (since 1992). Town management does not seem to care that the closure of this park-access has disrupted our way of life! Neighborhood connections are extremely important – and pedestrian-access to public parks should be increased rather than restricted! Beach-access is an inalienable right under the Public Trust Doctrine. Please contact me directly if you care about this issue and wish to help us to have it re-opened. info@bradleybch.com

Here are some of the reasons that ‘neighborhood connections’ are important – according to the Town’s own planning documents:

the Town of HHI underscores its commitment: to an “inclusive, connected community“ 
and to “facilitate true connectivity” (‘Town Strategic Plan’); 

to promote “inclusion and access for all parks“ to “promote and prioritize the value parks and recreation“; and “building trust and binding a community of people and places together“; (‘Our Core Values’);

to “adding connections and access“and to “create a walkable district that seamlessly integrates existing development and neighborhoods” (‘Mid-Island District Plan’); 

and to make “connections from residential areas and vacation areas to major destinations“, and to
 “look for opportunities to carry users away from vehicular traffic“ (‘Parks and Recreation Master Plan’). 

Are these statements endorsed by the Town or are they mere slogans?