Written By David Kindy
20 things you never knew about The Pinehills
Nestled within a forest of towering pine trees just off Route 3 in South Plymouth, The Pinehills is a one-of-a-kind New England village that offers finely crafted homes and a sense of community between residents and visitors alike. More than 20 years since developers first broke ground, The Pinehills has evolved into a destination for a wide range of people, from nature lovers who come to traverse miles of walking trails to foodies and brides who visit the award-winning restaurants and spa. We’ve compiled a list of 20 interesting things you probably never knew about The Pinehills that make it a special place to live and visit.
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Nature Lover’s Paradise
There are more than 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails for hiking, walking and biking at The Pinehills. Many of the paved trails are lit at night for safe walking between neighborhoods and to The Village Green. There’s also a popular kayaking club whose members enjoy paddling at nearby Great Island Pond and organize trips to other local waterways.
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A Place for All Ages
With nearly 50 different neighborhoods to choose from and offering everything from charming cottages, and single-family homes to luxurious custom homes and urban-inspired apartments, The Pinehills is a place both young families and empty-nesters can feel at home.
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Award-Winning Wine Bar
Boasting one of the best wine cellars in the region, The Bistro & Wine Bar at Mirbeau Inn & Spa earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2018 for its large selection of classic and modern wines handpicked by hotel sommelier Errol Joseph.
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Congeniality is Customary
There are more than 80 resident clubs that meet monthly at The Stonebridge Club, an amenity center for residents that provides a swimming pool, fitness club and the perfect location for residents to gather and share common interests. Popular clubs include an arts society, unplugged musician jam session, vibrant LGBTQ social group, and a Ping-Pong club, to name a few.
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The Ultimate Country Road
Old Sandwich Road, which winds through The Pinehills, is the oldest unpaved road in continuous use in the country. The route dates back to the days of the Pilgrims but the path was in use long before that when it was a trail traveled by Native Americans for thousands of years.
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Plymouth’s Other Rock
Located on Old Sandwich Road there is a boulder known as Sacrifice Rock that has been a stopping-off point for travelers over the centuries, perhaps millennia. For generations, members of the local Wampanoag tribe would pause at “Manittoo Asseinah” to offer a simple sacrifice of pebbles, branches and pinecones to ensure safe passage.
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The Royal Treatment
If you want to be pampered like a king or queen, Spa Mirbeau is the place to be. Between massage treatments and facials, spa guests can relax beside crackling fireplaces in the Resting Room and dip their toes in a heated foot massage pool. Lunch is served al fresco in the Aqua Terrace beside an outdoor whirlpool. Guests are also welcome to don their cozy robes and dine upstairs at The Bistro.
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Historic Tavern
The Rye Tavern, situated on Sandwich Road, is a quaint and cozy farm-to-table restaurant. Back in the 1700s the site was known as the Cornish Tavern and served as a stagecoach stop. In the early 1900s it was called the Wright Tavern, named after Horatio “Race” Wright, a hunting guide who lived there. These days the restaurant dishes out delicious meals and even has its own farmer. Melissa Colangelo maintains a garden onsite and also supplies fresh vegetables from her own property, Center Hill Farm, thus ensuring that meals served at this authentic 18th -century tavern are farm-to-table fresh.
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Conveniences Abound
The Pinehills is home to many shops and services, including five restaurants, a dry cleaner, gas station, medical offices, Long Ridge Wine & Spirits, Charles David Salon & Spa, The Market, La Boutique at Mirbeau Inn & Spa and more. Most recently, Cape Cod 5 opened a Plymouth Banking Center at the Village Green. All of these shops and services are open to the public.
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A Place for Art Lovers
Every summer, The Pinehills celebrates creativity with the annual Arts on the Green, an event that features scores of area artists who come to display their paintings, wood crafts, glass art, photography, sculptures, jewelry and more. In addition, a series of local artisan markets take place throughout the summer.
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Dog-Friendly Fun
In addition to having plenty of paths that are perfect for walking four-legged friends, The Pinehills hosts one of the region’s largest holiday pet parades. Pet lovers come from miles around to attend the annual Reindog Parade, which held in December during the Holidays on the Green festivities.
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A Golfer’s Paradise
Nestled among the pines are two public championship golf courses. Choose from the Nicklaus Design or Rees Jones daily-fee courses for an unforgettable golfing experience.
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You Can Live Green
Climber’s Path is a new neighborhood at The Pinehills that is designed to suit environmentally conscious homeowners. Homes feature 26 solar panels, a special rainwater collection system and optional electric vehicle outlets in the garages among other eco-friendly features.
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Rolling Hills and Picturesque Views
The Pinehills is no cookie-cutter development. The roads follow the natural topography of the land and homes are thoughtfully sited to afford the best-possible views of the surrounding landscape. Perched upon a ridge, near the highest coastal point between Maine and North Carolina, Dawn’s Light is a new neighborhood at The Pinehills that offers breathtaking views.
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Not-Your-Average Market
The first Beth Israel Deaconess-designated “Healthy Market” in Plymouth, The Market features a wide range of chef-prepared foods, fresh produce and grab-and-go essentials. It’s the kind of place you can meet the butcher, fish monger and even the in-house cheesemonger who prepares fresh mozzarella and other artisan cheeses.
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Serving the Greater Good
One of Plymouth’s town fire stations is located on land donated by The Pinehills. You might be surprised to know that this facility serves all of Plymouth, not just residents of The Pinehills.
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Good Sports
You don’t have to live at The Pinehills to join The Village Racquet and Fitness Club and partake in fitness classes, indoor tennis, pickle ball or swim in the full-sized indoor heated pool. Plus, tennis and swimming lessons are available for both kids and adults.
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Hilltop with History
During the 1800s, Telegraph Hill was once part of a series of similarly named points of high elevation between Edgartown and Boston that made up a semaphore telegraph system (think flags).
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Epic Outdoor Dining
If you’re a fan of al fresco dining, you’re in luck. The Pinehills is home to two stellar outdoor dining options. Fireflies dance in the fields surrounding The Rye Tavern’s outdoor bar and fire pit and guests who visit Mirbeau’s Inn & Spa’s Garden Bar can enjoy flatbread pizzas from the outdoor pizza oven and dine beside a Monet-inspired pond.
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Farm-to-Field Events
If you’re contemplating having a tented wedding or long-table dinners beneath the setting sun, Rye Tavern offers a beautiful setting for an outdoor event. The restaurant is hosting its first ever Farm-to-Field Event Expo on May 18. The public is invited to tour the grounds on this day and meet with local event vendors.
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