The beloved Savannah tug boat children’s play area is back on Savannah’s River Street, refurbished and modernized , replacing the original wooden 1977 tugboat, designed by Riverfront Urban Renewal Project architect Eric Meyerhoff.
The original tugboat, nicknamed “Tinkerbell,” had become dilapidated over the years and had been repaired and rebuilt multiple times until it was removed several years ago for safety reasons.
The donation of the new ADA accessible tugboat play area is from Margot Meyerhoff, daughter Eric Meyerhoff. Stephen Nottingham, from Frendesign, modernized the design.
Find more Savannah-Bluffton area playgrounds here.
Lowcountry Celebration Park, one of Hilton Head Island’s newest parks that reflects some of its coastal, historical and environmental attributes, was recognized with an Award of Excellence for its design.
The South Carolina Chapter American Society of Landscape Architects presented the award, which is the highest honor it bestows, at its annual conference held recently in Greenville, South Carolina. Chris Darnell, an Urban Designer with the Town of Hilton Head Island, and Wood and Partners, the firm that designed the park, accepted the award.
(Grab food at some of these favorites: Alljoy Donut Co.; Squat & Gobble; Nectar Family Kitchen; Cahill’s Market ; Mi Terra Authentic Mexican Restaurant. )
For a better look, see the SouthernMamas.com Reel featuring these Bluffton playgrounds and parkshere.
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Oscar Frazier Playground
Bring your little train lovers. There’s a train shaped-climbing equipment & more. Restrooms, walking path, covered picnic area, swings, outdoor exercise area and dog-park.
DuBois Playground
This is a favorite! Sweet ship-shaped climbing equipment, swings, restrooms. Within walking distance to restaurants in Bluffton’s downtown. Next to this playground is Martin Family Park which offers a grassy field for play, wooden chairs, picnic tables and more restrooms.
Bluffton Branch Library
In front of the library is a grassy field. Walk along by the panels which tell the story of the fiddler crabs of Calhoun Street.
Wright Park
Oh the views of May River! There’s no playground equipment but instead there’s a boardwalk to May River as well as a grassy field and solitary swing that overlooks the marsh and river. Get ready to swoon over the loveliness of historic The Church of the Cross right across Calhoun Street.
Buckhalter Place Playground
Smack in the middle of shops and restaurants including a Kroger, this park has an open lawn, benches, fenced playground, Veteran’s Memorial.
*Located on the north end of Tybee Island in the National Historic Fort Screven District next to the Guard House at the intersection of Campbell Road on Van Horn Street. The park is a five to ten minute walk to the beach.
*Rubber, padded surface in the playground area.
*Shade covers over part of the playground.
*Near small Frisbee golf course, bike/walk paths, picnic tables.
En route to Tybee Island, stop by McQueen’s Island trail (park just outside Fort Pulaski gate off US 80 East) for a walk on this still-being-repaired rails -to-trail complete with oodles of fiddler crabs & shore bird sightings.
The park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features: *The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool/splash pad and more. The ship includes: cannons that spray a light mist, crow’s nests, swing bridges, port holes, rope nets, periscopes. *An open pavilion and lawn for events. *A perimeter walk *Two fitness stations *Wi-Fi *The Sandbox Children’s Museum *Public restrooms
Looking for a kid-friendly daytrip destination from Savannah?
We love Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Is. – a roughly 70 minute drive from Savannah. While there be sure to try to catch a sighting of one of the manatees (pictured above in a photo we took in July 2022) that hang out @ Harbour Town Yacht Basin. The manatees sometimes can be seen in the part of the marina near where this sign pictured below is posted, where the arrow points in the photo below.
There’s still time to catch a legendary free Gregg Russell concert outdoors under Liberty Oak in Harbour Town this 2022 summer season. See his Summer 2022 performance schedule here. This beloved family-oriented singer/storyteller performs sing-a-longs, ballads and silly songs with audience participation. Kids often make & bring “pick-me-to sing-with-you” signs to hold up for Gregg to see.
Next time you take the kids to Hilton Head Island, here are two of our favorite playgrounds there.
Adventure Playground @ Lowcountry Celebration Park, Hilton Head Is.
The spacious Adventure Playground features a giant ship complete with mist cannons. located off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot. Adventure Playground is open from sunrise to sunset. Restroom facilities at the park close at 10PM. Parking is available in the Coligny Beach Parking Lot, the parking lot off Nassau Street or onstreet parking on Nassau Street. Details here.
Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town (pictured), Sea Pines Resort, Hilton Head Is. The Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town is one of the top playgrounds in our area. Fenced, somewhat shaded playground that includes a treehouse; swings; numerous slides; lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars. Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic tables; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee and of course, the famous Harbour Town lighthouse which is open to climb for a fee plus $9 Sea Pines gate fee. Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928
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See our favorite Savannah & Beaufort area playgrounds here.
Spend the day “playground hopping,” visiting some of our top picks for playgrounds in the Greater Savannah, Ga. area & Hilton Head Is./Beaufort, S.C. area or just picking one and spending the day there.
Here are some of the best playgrounds in Savannah, Hilton Head Is., Beaufort, S.C.
Forsyth Park Savannah playground, 700 Drayton Street, Savannah 31401
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Savannah, we have a fun, all accessible playground in Forsyth Park.
The $342,000 park was funded by the club through internal sponsorship, a grant from the Alan S. Gaynor Fund and AMBUCS, the Herb Traub Fund and support from the City of Savannah and Chatham County. It is accessible to all children, including those who have wheelchair limitations and other specialized conditions.
The design includes nine slides, 16 climbers, and eight swings. The equipment can support a capacity up to 300 children. The ground is covered with rubber matting and mulch.
Oh & that’s just one of the two Forsyth Park playgrounds. Yes, two. The second one for older kids is also popular (just not newly redone) and includes swings, climbing wall, slides.
The two Forsyth Park playgrounds include restrooms, café, spray pool, paved sidewalk for walking, biking. Pack a lunch (or eat at the café) & spend the day in this landmark, historic park. Check out the gated fragrant garden if it’s unlocked & the park fountains. Kids can dance to their heart’s content on the bandshell’s canopied stage.
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Mother Mathilda Beasley Park: Two playgrounds with new equipment, large grass-covered field, a baseball field, multi-purpose trail and dog park, picnic tables. Drawbacks include lack of shade & the beautiful new pavilion with restrooms is often locked & inaccessible. 500 E. Broad Street Savannah, 31401
Davant Small playground behind Colonial Cemetery in Savannah. Picnic tables. No restrooms Lincoln St. / E Perry Lane Savannah, 31401
Baldwin Park Small fenced playground in residential area. Drawbacks: No restrooms. E. 41st St. / Atlantic Ave., Savannah 31401
Daffin Park Two playgrounds, lake, walking trail, picnic area, tennis courts, fields. 1500 E Victory Drive, Savannah 31404
Hull Park Playground, sheltered picnic area, spray pool, baseball field. A great, popular neighborhood playground perfect for playdates. Drawback: no restrooms and not a lot of shade. 55th St./Atlantic Avenue, Savannah 31405
Lake Mayer Playground includes three climbing structures complete with climbing walls, tunnels; swing sets, baby swing sets, swivel seat, twirling toy, see-saw, mulch; picnic tables, two pavilions available for rent, tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, 1.5 jogging/bike paved trail with fitness course, lake, boat ramps, restrooms, baseball field, lighted hockey rink, dog exercise area. 1850 E. Montgomery Crossroads Savannah, 31406
Isle of Hope Playground, basketball court Cornus Dr Savannah, 31406
Skidaway Island State Park playground in Savannah. Playground, Picnic Tables. Free admission. $5 parking fee. 52 Diamond Causeway, Savannah. 31411
Wilmington Island playground Shaded playground, covered pavilion, restrooms Cohen Ave at Walthour Rd Savannah, 31410
Memorial Park Playground, behind Tybee Is. Library, Tybee Is. Fenced playground, bath rooms, covered picnic area, faux pirate ship, see-saw whale rocker, climbing wall, swings. 405 Butler Ave., Tybee Island 31328
Jaycee Park Playground Fenced, partially-shaded updated playground, within walking distance to the beach. See updates here. 27 Van Home Ave., Tybee Island, 31328.
Scott Stell Playground Playground, restrooms, three pavilions available for rent, tennis courts, lighted basketball courts, jogging/bike paved trail w/ fitness course, baseball fields, dog exercise area, volleyball play areas, archery range 195 Scott Stell Community Park Savannah, 31419
J.F. Gregory, Richmond Hill Fenced playground, picnic tables, restrooms, covered pavilions available for rent, 335 acre multi-use recreational area with a lake, walking trail, birding tower, and two restored Henry Ford era homes. 521 Cedar St, Richmond Hill, 31324
Tom Triplett Park, Pooler Playground, two Pavilions available for rent, conference room available for rent, tennis courts, lake, 1.5 jogging/bike paved track with fitness course, restrooms, dog exercise, disc golf course Tom Triplett Rd Pooler, 31322
West Chatham YMCA playground Chatham County’s first play facility compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and features a music station, a tractor, a climbing wall and therapeutic swings for special-needs kids. off Pooler Parkway between the YMCA and Pooler’s new municipal recreation complex
Pigeon Point Park playground, Beaufort, S.C.
Hilton Head Is/Beaufort, S.C.
Adventure Playground @ Lowcountry Celebration Park, Hilton Head Is.
The spacious Adventure Playground features a giant ship complete with mist cannons. located off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot. Adventure Playground is open from sunrise to sunset. Restroom facilities at the park close at 10PM. Parking is available in the Coligny Beach Parking Lot, the parking lot off Nassau Street or onstreet parking on Nassau Street. Details here.
Gregg Russell Playground in Harbour Town, Hilton Head Is. The Gregg Russell Playground at Harbour Town is one of the top playgrounds in our area. Fenced, somewhat shaded playground that includes a treehouse; swings; numerous slides; lots of climbing bars, jungle gym bars, monkey bars. Just outside the fenced-playground is a water fountain; picnic tables; bathrooms; and plenty of spots for lunch, drinks or coffee and of course, the famous Harbour Town lighthouse which is open to climb for a free plus $6 Sea Pines gate fee. Harbour Town, Hilton Head, SC 29928
Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park Playground, Beaufort, S.C. Playground with hardwood mulch, restrooms a stage for performances, a pavilion for displays and a grassed amphitheater for picnicking, frisbee or simple relaxing. Kids can watch fishermen showing their skills on the dock in front of the playground 1010 Bay Street, Beaufort, S.C. 29902
Pigeon Point Park playground, Beaufort, S.C. Age appropriate playground equipment that includes merry-go-around, restrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, age appropriate playground equipment, large oak trees that provide shade Pigeon Point Road Beaufort, SC 29902
The new park off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot and Coligny Beach Park features:
*The Adventure Playground, named after the ship Captain William Hilton was on when he discovered Hilton Head Island. It features a reimagined design of the ship, playground, wading pool and more.
*An open pavilion and lawn for events.
*A perimeter walk
*Two fitness stations
*Wi-Fi
*The Sandbox Children’s Museum
*Public restrooms
Lowcountry Celebration Park
94 Pope Ave.
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Lots of outdoor kids’ happenings at nearby Georgia State Parks including this upcoming Saturday event @ Fort King George State Historic Site in Darien, Ga.
Crafting Days: Wood & Wax Fort King George State Historic Site
302 McIntosh Rd SE
Darien, GA 31305-4304,
Sat. March 20, 2021 at two times
10AM-Noon
2-3PM
Open to the public
Join rangers for a day outside demonstrating colonial wood-working and candle-making.
Standard site admission is required to attend this program.
Site admission: Adults $7.50, Seniors $7.00, Youth 6-17 $4.50, Youth 5 & younger are FREE
912-437-4770.
Learn more here.
Established in 1862 on Hilton Head Is. SC, Mitchelville is the first place in the United States where African Americans, out of slavery but not yet citizens, self-governed. This first self-governed town of freed slaves is commemorated in the historic site of Mitchelville Freedom Park on Beach City Road.
On your next visit to Hilton Head, visit this quiet, historically significant ocean-side site.
Mitchellville
*First town where enslaved people were freed following the Emancipation Proclamation
*Located just across the river from Savannah.
*The town was an important stop on the Underground Railroad and the first place to be governed by African Americans.
The park was created by the nonprofit Mitchelville Preservation Project to educate the public about the resilience of the freed people of Mitchelville. This 19th-century town of freed slaves was around before the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, when most of the African-American population in the South was still enslaved. Residents built homes, a one-room schoolhouse, stores, praise houses and created a new, self-governed culture.
Overlooking the marsh is a Bench by the Road, one of 20 memorial bench sites worldwide created by the Toni Morrison Society. The black steel benches are placed in areas to remember once-forgotten moments in African-American history. Learn more about the other Freedom Park exhibits here.
There’s a new outdoor kid-friendly spot on Hilton Head Is: Adventure Playground @ Lowcountry Celebration Park.
Lowcountry Celebration Park – which opened in December 2020 – includes Adventure Playground for kids, a discovery trail, pavilion and lawn for festivals, exercise stations, Wi-Fi, restrooms. The Sandbox Children’s Museum is set to move there, too, from its current location later this year.
Lowcountry Celebration Park is located off Pope Avenue near the Coligny Beach parking lot.
The spacious Adventure Playground features a giant ship complete with mist cannons.
Adventure Playground is open from sunrise to sunset. Restroom facilities at the Park close at 10PM.
Parking is available in the Coligny Beach Parking Lot, the parking lot off Nassau Street or onstreet parking on Nassau Street.
Playground Water Feature: The Adventure Playground has a water feature. This feature will become operational once after requirements for permits are completed.
Find more things do with kids while on Hilton Head Is. here.
Savannah Children’s Museum will reopen Thursdays through Saturdays, 9:30AM to 2:30PM, beginning Thurs. Sept. 24 2020.
Daily programming will be offered in addition to a special bottle rocket program at noon every day Thursday-Saturday. Please note that Savannah Children’s Museum is an outdoor site and closes during adverse weather conditions.
For the safety of all staff and guests, SCM follows social distancing protocols and will implement enhanced sanitizing procedures. Visitors are asked to adhere to the City of Savannah Government, Chatham County, Georgia Government and CDC mask regulations and recommendations.
Savannah Children’s Museum is also available for private bookings including birthday parties, field trips and homeschool groups Sunday through Wednesday and its Mobile Museum programs can be brought to your location any day of the week. Please contact Megan Alstad for more information at malstad@chsgeorgia.org
Savannah Children’s Museum admission is free for Coastal Heritage Society members and $8 per person aged 18 months and older. Find info on how to beome a member here.
J.F. Gregory Park Playground Grand Re-Opening
Fri. June 26, 2020 @ 10:30AM
The City of Richmond Hill invites you to the grand re-opening of the playground in J.F. Gregory Park on Friday, June 26 at 10:30 a.m.
At the end of 2019, Mayor and Council approved upgrades to the playground area in J.F. Gregory Park and they have been completed.
The playground received several upgrades including new sunshades, benches and an updated swing set. Two new pieces of playground equipment have been installed, including an inclusive orbit for children with disabilities.
The Every Kid in a Park program gives every U.S. 4th grader and his or her family free access to 2000+ federally managed parks, lands and waters.
To obtain the free pass, fourth graders simply participate in a fun online activity and receive a voucher for a free 4th Grade Annual Pass. Print out the voucher and take it with you and your family to a national park or monument (We went to the front gate at Fort Pulaski National Monument), where you can turn the voucher in for a laminated National Park pass.
This program, called Every Kid in a Park, begins Sept. 1 of your fourth grade year and runs until Aug. 31 of that year. Learn more here.
April 22-23 2017: Weekends of National Park Week
August 25 2017: National Park Service’s Birthday
September 30 2017: National Public Lands Day
October 15 2017: Fort Pulaski National Monument’s 92nd Birthday
November 11-12 2017: Veterans Day Weekend
Fort Pulaski National Monument is on U.S. Hwy 80, 15 miles east of downtown Savannah. For more info, call 912) 786-5787 or visit nps.gov/fopu.
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Your kids can become a Junior Ranger
Take advantage of the fact that we live within a day’s drive of multiple national parks & monuments & have your kids become a junior ranger at one or many of these sites.
When you take kids to tour national parks, you never know how much they are getting out of the visit. Especially for those of us moms who aren’t exactly history experts.
Which is why you need to pick up the Junior Ranger booklets at the visitor centers of national parks you visit. The Junior Ranger program kids engage more during the visits.
Junior Ranger booklets have activities about the national parks for ages 5-12. Junior ranger books are free to any visitor and usually are available at the visitors’ centers. Often, similar programs with more advanced activities are also available for older kids. Just ask at the site’s visitor center.
While doing the activities, children enjoy earning a badge and a certificate.
Nearby national parks/monuments that have Junior Ranger programs include:
*Fort Pulaski National Monument, on U.S. 80 en route to Tybee Island. Info on the Fort Pulaski Junior Program here.
*Fort Sumter & Fort Moultrie national monuments, Charleston, S.C. Info on these forts Junior Ranger program here.
*Cumberland Island National Seashore, Ga. More info here.
*Fort Frederica National Monument on St. Simons Island. Info on the Fort Frederica National Monument Junior Ranger Program here. *Ocmulgee National Monument in Macon. Info on Ocmulgee’s National Monument Junior Ranger Program here.
* Congaree National Parknear Columbia. Info on Junior Ranger Program here.
Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah regularly offers free events. There is a $5 parking fee which is waived if you have an annual state park pass. Details on state park passes here.
Do something special and fun this Valentines Day Weekend 2017 @ Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah.
Win the HEART OF THE PARK TROPHY by competing in Skidaway Island State Park’s Second Annual Valentines Day Weekend Scavenger Hunt right here in the park.
Cost: $5 for parking and $15 per couple/family team.
Sun. Feb. 12, 1:30-3PM
Skidaway Island State Park
52 Diamond Causeway
Savannah, Georgia 31411
Join the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a day of free, family fun at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Visitor Center on Saturday, March 10 2018, 10AM-3:30PM.
Discovery Day will be filled with fun, wildlife-related educational activities for all ages.
Have you ever wondered what a biologist, a wildland firefighter, an archaeologist, a forester or a refuge manager does on a National Wildlife Refuge? This is your chance to learn! Learn about wildland fire with hands-on activities involving real fire equipment; try your luck at target shooting with a bow while learning about our Refuge hunt programs; gain a better understanding of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s role in protecting endangered species; learn why water management matters to wildlife on Savannah National Wildlfie Refuge; get close up with a variety of reptiles, and much more.
All activities will be at the Savannah NWR Visitor Center located at 694 Beech Hill Lane Hardeeville, SC (off U.S. 17, approximately 7 miles north of Savannah, GA and 7 miles south of Hardeeville, SC).
For more information on this rain or shine event, call 843-784-2468.
Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex
694 Beech Hill Ln
Hardeeville, South Carolina 29927
__________________________________________ The Savannah National Wildlife Refuge hosts a preschoolers “Young Explorers Club” on the first Tuesday of each month.
The free, hour-long monthly program for 3-4 year-olds starts at 10AM on the first Tuesday of each month. There will be story time, crafts, snacks, and take-home activities all about this month’s topic.
The programs are at the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (694 Beech Hill Lane Hardeeville, SC 29927).
Each month, a different animal or method of conservation will be highlighted. Juniors of Girl Scout Troop 30387 have designed the monthly programs as their service project for completing the Bronze Award. The themes are:
February – Lady Bugs
March – Plants
April – Recycle
May – Baby Birds
June – Alligators
July – Sea Turtles
August – Spiders
September – Fish
October – Butterflies
November – Turkeys
December – Ducks
For more information, please contact Joel Vos at (843) 784-2468.
Ignite the Senses children’s sensory gym in Bluffton SC is ready for the holidays.
Exciting and busy times coming till the start of the New Year. Ignite the Senses is here to help:
>Plan your Holiday and Birthday parties @ Ignite the Senses children’s sensory gymn
>Take advantage of Break Time – Drop off your child (children) so you can have up to 3 hours of FREE (uninterrupted) childfree time to do what needs done without little ones under foot…decorating, shopping, appointments or just rest.
Speaking of parties and the holidays. The perfect gift: Ignite the Senses refillable gift cards.
The mission @ Ignite the Senses: to ignite each child’s curiosity to explore new activities and new social relationships.
As Bluffton’s only children’s sensory gym, Ignite the Senses aims to spread community awareness and acceptance for those living with autism in and around the Lowcountry. Children with autism and typical children can grow physically, emotionally, and socially together whether in the open gym setting or in any of the small group classes offered.
Offerings @ Ignite the Senses include:
* art and music programs/classes
* special camps during the summer and school holidays throughout the year
* children’s birthdays and special events
* support group gatherings monthly for local families with children who have autism.
TODDLER TIME
Every Wednesday 10AM-Noon. Bring your little ones in to meet some new friends while having a ball. Your payoff will be at home later when your toddler goes down easily for a nap thanks to Toddler Time.
GYM HOURS
Open 7 days a week
Mon-Fri: 9AM-6PM
Sat: 10AM-3PM
Sun: 10AM-3PM
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LOCATION
Ignite the Senses Gym
163 Bluffton Road
Suite C1
Bluffton, SC. 29910
(843) 757-0179
Email: info@ignitethesensesgym.com
Ignite the Senses, www.ignitethesensesgym.com. Stay connected by liking Ignite the Senses on Facebook here . Ignite the Senses is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser.
