Compass Rose Park

Located at the corner of Pope Avenue and New Orleans Rd., Compass Rose Park is the smallest park on Hilton Head Island. Not much larger than a suburban back yard, this park is really more of a "meditation garden" than a park. Compass Rose is also the newest of all Hilton Head parks, having been completed in the summer of 2008. As it is located directly on the most traveled foot and bicycle path on the island, there isn't much need for automobile parking, but there are four regular parking spaces and one handicapped space (all free) located on the back side of the park, at the end of St. Augustine Place. There are no restrooms at the park, but Fountain Center, with all its stores and eateries, is only a few steps away.

Bicycling, or walking, from the direction of Coligny Plaza, one crosses over a delightful, tree canopied, wooden bridge, which marks the border of the park. The bicycle path then leads to the park entrance; a huge, arched, redwood pergola, perched over a "tabby" walkway, which frames an upright model of a compass rose, mounted between to trickling water falls. Somewhere around this entrance a little "magic" happens and all the noise from Pope Avenue (and the rest of the world) fades away, as you find yourself entering a labyrinth of pools and waterfalls; separated by patches of lush grass and low gardens. All though cars and trucks are passing only a few feet away only the sounds of bird song and gently falling water is apparent.

Young Live Oaks help shade tabby and brick footpaths, which crisscross the landscaping. At the western end of the park there is a two level, raised pavilion, with a few small "café" style tables under three "cabana" styled fabric roof tops. Separating the levels of the pavilion area is a reflecting pool that also feeds the waterfall under the entrance pergola. Footpaths lead from all directions to the parks centerpiece: An ever spinning granite compass rose, several feet in diameter, it is a remarkable example of art and workmanship. Quiet waterfalls cascade between multilevel pools along one side of the foot path, eventually spilling into a charming manmade "stream" complete with Water Lilly, Hyacinth and Koi. The stream and tabby walkway meander together, finally terminating at a pagoda roofed, open air deck that overlooks a small wooded lagoon; near the entrance bridge.

Compass Rose Park is a great place to stop and meditate, or have a quite take-out lunch or picnic. This is a wonderful reprise, even from the "laid back" lifestyle of Hilton Head Island, and a perfect place for lovers, philosophers, and dreamers. If this park could be described in one word that word would be: "serenity".