Beaufort County and Town of Hilton Head Island protect 18 acres and development rights through Broad Creek and Simmons transactions

• Funded in part by Beaufort County’s Green Space Program
• The two transactions eliminate potential for 211 residential units; protected land across five projects now totals 53.04 acres

The Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County have completed two recent transactions protecting 18.14 acres through the purchase of the 9.5-acre Broad Creek Marina Way property and the purchase of a conservation easement on an 8.64-acre Simmons Tract.

Together, the transactions eliminate the development potential for 211 residential units – 152 at Broad Creek and 59 on the Simmons Tract. The Broad Creek property also had potential for 333 hotel rooms or 76,000 square feet of commercial space. The Simmons Tract had potential for 45,420 square feet of commercial space.

The two transactions bring the total protected through Beaufort County’s Green Space Program to 53.04 acres across five properties on Hilton Head Island since 2024. The Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County each contributed $9.1 million toward the $18.2 million cost of the two recent transactions. The Town of Hilton Head Island’s share came from its Real Estate Transfer Fee and general obligation bond proceeds, while Beaufort County’s share came from Green Space funds.

The collaboration helps the Town of Hilton Head Island manage growth, protect natural resources, and preserve open space, while creating opportunities to explore future public access at the Broad Creek site.

“Our Town Council is united in its commitment to preserving land to help manage growth and protect the places that make Hilton Head Island special. The Broad Creek property and Simmons conservation easement protect important land from development. At Broad Creek, we can also explore appropriate long-term public access that enhances residents’ quality of life,” said Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry.

Broad Creek Marina Way | 33 Broad Creek Marina Way | 9.5 acres
The property at 33 Broad Creek Marina Way stretches from Marshland Road to Broad Creek, with wide views of the water and marsh. It was formerly home to Adventure Hilton Head, which operated a zip line, adventure course, electric go-kart track, and pavilion. The business closed before the sale.

The purchase eliminates the potential for 152 residential units, 333 hotel rooms or 76,000 square feet of commercial space. It helps the Town of Hilton Head Island manage growth along Broad Creek and protect environmentally sensitive waterfront land.

Town Council authorized the purchase in July 2026. The Town and County each contributed $7.7 million toward the $15.4 million purchase price. The Town’s $7.7 million contribution came from general obligation bond proceeds; Beaufort County’s $7.7 million came from the Green Space Program.

The Town of Hilton Head Island will secure and clean up the site. The work includes installing fencing, stabilizing the land, and removing the go-kart track and zip line. The Town of Hilton Head Island is preparing the scope and schedule, and the work will be competitively bid. Completion is expected by the end of 2027.

Simmons Tract | 584 Spanish Wells Road | 8.64 acres
The Town of Hilton Head Island and Beaufort County partnered to purchase the permanent conservation easement on the Simmons Tract for $2.8 million, with each contributing $1.4 million. The Town’s share came from its Real Estate Transfer Fee, and the County’s share came from the Green Space Program. The easement purchase secures the property’s development rights and permanently limits future development while the land remains privately owned. Town Council authorized the easement purchase in July 2026. The Beaufort County Open Land Trust will hold and monitor the easement.

The tract is located on Spanish Wells Road near Old House Creek. The easement does not provide public access. It eliminates the potential for 59 residential units or 45,420 square feet of commercial space and protects environmentally sensitive land, natural habitat, and open space along the Spanish Wells/Jonesville corridor. It also helps maintain the character of the historic Spanish Wells area.

How Beaufort County’s Green Space funding is working on Hilton Head Island
Beaufort County voters approved the Green Space sales tax in November 2022. The one-cent sales tax raised $100 million countywide to purchase land and conservation easements and reduce future development. It was the first program of its kind in South Carolina.

Since 2024, Beaufort County’s Green Space Program has invested $22.4 million in land on Hilton Head Island. The Town of Hilton Head Island has combined Green Space funding with its Real Estate Transfer Fee, which pays for land acquisition. Properties protected on Hilton Head Island include:

• Mitchelville Road: 26.46 acres acquired in 2024
  • Beach City Road: 1.89 acres acquired in 2024
  • Jonesville Road: 6.55 acres acquired in 2025
  • Broad Creek Marina Way: 9.5 acres; transaction completed Sept. 30, 2026
  • Spanish Wells Road (Simmons Tract): 8.64 acres; conservation easement transaction completed Oct. 14, 2026

The properties are protected through public ownership or conservation easements, helping preserve their long-term conservation and open-space value. The program aims to limit development that could affect traffic, public safety, stormwater runoff, and water quality, while creating opportunities for recreation.

“The Green Space Program is able to cast a wide net for conservation projects that benefit Beaufort County,” said Beaufort County Council Chair Alice Howard. “By working with municipalities and landowners to maximize the impact of taxpayer dollars, we are investing in open space and recreation opportunities for generations to come.”

Michael McShane, chair of the Green Space Advisory Committee, said: “It is great to see the Beaufort County Green Space Program working in partnership with the Town of Hilton Head Island resulting in meaningful conservation outcomes. These projects are a shining example of what can be accomplished when Beaufort County and the Town of Hilton Head Island work together to achieve common goals that serve the long-term benefit of the community.”

For more information on Town of Hilton Head Island property purchases, visit the Town-Owned Property Dashboard. Sign up for the Town’s e-notifications for updates on property acquisitions and follow the Town of Hilton Head Island on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube for the latest news.