New Riverside Barn Park Playground brings a vibrant and thoughtfully designed public space to Bluffton, South Carolina. Located in and reflecting the heart of the Lowcountry, the playground is more than a recreational amenity; it's a space that embodies the region and the community in it. As part of a larger vision for the 20-acre Phase I development of New Riverside Barn Park, the playground spans approximately 1.7 acres - totaling 2.5 acres when combined with the drop-off and restroom areas - and serves as a central anchor for this multi-use park. Wood+Partners Inc. (WP), a landscape architecture and planning firm based in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, led the design with a vision that fuses play, comfort, and community into one cohesive, engaging experience.

Project Background and Goals
Commissioned by the town of Bluffton, Wood+Partners was initially brought on to prepare a conceptual master plan for New Riverside Barn Park. The project's overarching goal was to establish a passive-use, community-focused park that would meet the town's growing recreational and social needs. From its inception, the park was envisioned as a gathering place that embraced the natural character of the Lowcountry along South Carolina's coast while offering diverse programming, from playground recreation and family outings to weddings, events, and community festivals.

The playground was seen not simply as an isolated element, but as a critical connector to the park's other amenities. It needed to deliver developmentally appropriate play experiences, showcase a strong sense of place, and remain sensitive to the surrounding environment. Furthermore, the design needed to reflect Bluffton's historical and cultural aesthetic while incorporating sustainable, durable materials suitable for long-term community use.

Scope of Work
The full scope of the design team's work included site master planning, conceptual design, detailed landscape architecture, materials selection, and coordination with a broad consultant and contractor team. Led by Kyle Theodore, PLA, Trey Griffin, PLA, and Brad Hix, PLA, the Wood+Partners team worked closely with the engineers, architects, vendors, and Bluffton staff to ensure the design addressed community needs, safety, comfort, and aesthetics.

The playground occupies a prominent location within the larger, 20-acre site, making it highly visible and easily accessible to visitors. In addition to the playground itself, the project included the careful integration of drop-off zones, pedestrian pathways, restroom facilities, shade structures, and support infrastructure with the aim of making the park a welcoming, family-friendly destination.

 

Design Process
The design process was rooted in community context and environmental sensitivity. Concepts were developed to reflect the relaxed charm and architectural vocabulary of the Lowcountry, a coastal region known for its marshes, Live Oaks draped in Spanish Moss, and historic charm. A special emphasis on regional materials, textures, and colors led to the inclusion of warm-toned bricks and shell concrete, both traditionally used in the region's architecture and pathways.

Beyond connection to local history, the soft, natural textures of these materials blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The colors are earthy and muted, mirroring the tones of the coastal environment and providing a calming experience. The layout of the paths themselves encourages outdoor activity and supports a passive park experience beyond the playground, promoting accessibility and flow. Site furnishings are placed so as to enhance comfort and usability for all ages. Material and layout decisions were also informed by a desire to balance function, visual interest, and ease of maintenance. As an example, the playground safety surfacing was designed to provide an interesting pattern while reducing maintenance demands that another material - such as engineered wood fiber - would create.

All designs were reviewed and refined through close collaboration with the town and stakeholders. From the selection of pavers and bricks to the layout of paths and placement of site furnishings, every detail was selected with the goal of reinforcing a coherent and context-sensitive design that feels distinctly Lowcountry: relaxed, timeless, and deeply connected to nature and the community.

Playground Details
The playground's final design showcases an exciting array of play features and site amenities. Equipment provided by KOMPAN was selected for its durability, inclusive design, and ability to engage children through physical, social, and imaginative play.

The layout accommodates various play zones targeted at different age groups and developmental stages, all connected by accessible pathways and softened with a combination of rubber surfacing and synthetic turf. Areas accessible to younger children are grouped together and buffered from the sections geared towards older children by zones that accommodate all age groups, granting protection where needed, inviting combined play, and granting parents the ability to watch all ages without difficulty.

To address Bluffton's hot and humid summers, Aquatix spray misters were integrated into the design, providing a refreshing reprieve and encouraging longer play sessions. These water features add a dynamic, interactive layer to the playground while enhancing comfort and usability.

The surfacing strategy combined poured-in-place rubber and synthetic turf selected for their safety performance, longevity, and minimal maintenance requirements. These surfaces improve accessibility for children and caregivers and contribute to the visual cohesion of the playground.

Material selection played a pivotal role in tying the playground to its Lowcountry context. Old Carolina Brick concrete pavers were used to define walkways, edges, and plazas, drawing on the aesthetic of historic Southern architecture. Site furnishings like benches, bike racks, hydration stations, and shade structures offer comfort and convenience, enhancing the overall user experience.

Outcome and Community Impact
The completed New Riverside Barn Park Playground is already a celebrated community asset in Bluffton. It offers a safe, stimulating, and fun environment for children while providing parents and caregivers with shaded areas, hydration stations, and amenities that encourage longer visits.

Perhaps most importantly, the playground embodies the town of Bluffton's broader goals for the park: to create a lasting, multi-generational space that fosters connection, supports physical and mental well-being, and reflects the identity of the community. As additional phases of the park are implemented - including adaptive reuse of the barn for weddings and events, open space meadows, and expanded trails - the playground will continue to serve as a vibrant hub for activity and engagement.

This project is a strong example of what can be achieved through collaborative design, regional sensitivity, and a deep understanding of place. Wood+Partners is proud to have contributed to a space that will bring joy, play, and community together for years to come.

As seen in LASN magazine, September 2025.