The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people of all ages. The Association produces, provides and coordinates public recreation programs, "wellness" activities and community events. The Association commits itself to monitoring the recreation needs of the community and instituting change where appropriate.

The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association is a non-profit organization that has provided recreation programs to the community since 1977. The Association has had an agreement with the Town of Hilton Head Island since 1985 to deliver recreation activities to the island. The current Recreation Association Fiscal Year 2022 budget is $2.9 million dollars. 

The Town of Hilton Head Island grants the Association 35% of its overall operating budget through the Town’s budgeting process.

This means the remaining operational funds of 65% are the responsibility of the Association’s Board to recover in order to deliver the best recreational services to residents and visitors alike. Island Rec program fees and memberships contribute to the ongoing recovery cost efforts. 

The Association also provides the Carmines Family Recreation Scholarship Program to help families in need. This scholarship program annually awards an average of over $280,000, supporting hundreds of families and children. 

The Recreation Association strives to have reasonable fees and prices that will allow all island residents and visitors to participate in recreation programs and activities offered at the Island Recreation Center.

Strive for excellence in everything we do.

Be service-oriented for the residents of the community, sponsors/partners, and each other.

Exhibit an entrepreneurial spirit.

Establish and stick to clear priorities.

Maintain a willingness to grow, question, and to change.

Seek a community consensus whenever possible.

Reach out to those we serve and to those with whom we work.

Build partnerships.

Engage in disciplined planning, but be unafraid to act intuitively.

Embrace the responsibilities of leadership.

The Hilton Head Island Recreation Association will be timely and responsive in addressing the needs and concerns of the community. We recognize our customers want us to meet their needs with quality and reliability, and they want their opinions and suggestions to be heard and valued. We acknowledge every customer is different and we strive to treat our customers the way they want to be treated. We welcome and accept the responsibility and accountability for providing the best quality customer service possible.

In 1977, the Hilton Head Rotary Club recognized current recreational programs provided by the county government were not meeting the needs of the community’s youth. The Club then decided to provide recreation programs to the youth by funding and building the Island Youth Center (now known as Creation Station). The Rotary Club also funded the operation of the Center in the early years.

By 1984, the recreation needs of the island had grown to include residents of all ages, which lead to the Island Youth Center’s evolvement into the Hilton Head Island Recreation Association. The Association's Board of Directors was instrumental in attaining land and funding for the construction of the Island Recreation Center. The Association has since been operating the Island Recreation Center.

Once again in 1990, realizing the ever-expanding recreation needs of the community, the Association joined forces with the SHARE Senior Center to provide programs to this special segment of our island's population. In 2013, SHARE became Hilton Head Island Senior Center under the direction of the Island Recreation Association.

The renovation and expansion of the current Island Rec Center was finished in January of 2019. The project included; a new gymnasium, classrooms, new playground, fitness equipment, indoor walking track, renovated restrooms, pool restroom facilities, and more!