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13250 SW 72 AV
$1,200,000
6 4
Pinecrest: Green Town, USA
The city of Pinecrest is a suburban outpost just south of Downtown Miami and the Miami International Airport, tucked between the shores of Biscayne Bay and the Everglades National Forest. Thought of as one of South Florida’s most beautiful residential locations, Pinecrest provides a comfortable blend of urban and country living. City amenities are just a skip away, but the neighborhood is mostly relaxed ranch-style homes surrounded by expansive, lushly manicured lawns.
An appreciation for nature runs deep in the area. The treasured Pinecrest Gardens serves as a community hub, while six additional parks offer sports or leisure space to enhance the lifestyle of residents. But Pinecrest's green life goes further than its park collection -- for the betterment of everyone around, the community has made a firm commitment to the environment.
With goals of sustainability and “Going Green” initiatives, the city aims to be the most environmentally responsible it can be. Pinecrest has already been honored by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA because of its engagement with community forestry. More than 10,000 street trees have been planted in the neighborhood since 1997.
Pinecrest boasts a unique heritage of laid-back rural/suburban charm, with a thoughtful approach to development. It’s a gracious community where people and nature exist in harmony -- an amiable environment for all those lucky enough to stay for a while.
Quick Facts:
- 19,055 residents
- 7.6 square miles
- 6,403 housing units
- 47.6% of households with children under age 18
- 70% of households belong to married couples
- Avg. temps: mid-70s to upper 80s
- Businesses: 80-100+
- Median income for households: $107,507
- Home prices generally range from $300,000 to $4,000,000+
- Served by Miami-Dade's public school system; several public and private schools nearby
Proving Pinecrest is serious about Going Green, the community is developing a Green Action Plan that calls for the audit of municipal buildings, park buildings, and other public places in a move to retrofit them with energy-saving technology. The end goal is for the facilities to be certified LEED Green buildings.
Along with its “Green Schools” initiative, the community is making significant strides toward providing healthy work and school environments, reducing taxpayer costs through increased efficiency, and raising awareness about the problems that arise by doing things the old way. When it comes to setting new standards for sustainable living, Pinecrest leads the way.
History:
Pinecrest has been a welcoming respite for visitors since its earliest days. Back in the 1900s, railroad tycoon Henry Flagler utilized its sunny fields as a place to gather people, materials and equipment for construction of the Overseas Railroad to the Florida Keys.
As a community began to crop up in the 1930s, one of South Florida’s first tourist attractions also made its debut -- this was Parrot Jungle, a 20-acre property with undisturbed nature trails and free-reigning exotic birds. A world-famous sight, Parrot Jungle had over a million visitors flocking to this corner of the state.
Later, in the 1950s and ‘60s, the neighborhood’s signature ranch homes began to appear on acre-wide lots. These long and low rustic homes paired well with expansive green lawns dotted with trees and shrubbery -- this aesthetic still serves as a trademark of the community’s distinctly open suburban style. After decades of growth the town was officially incorporated on March 12, 1996.
How to Get There:
Pinecrest is roughly 12 miles from Miami International Airport and about 15 miles from Downtown Miami. The area is serviced throughout by Metrobuses and has Miami Metrorail stops at Dadeland North and Dadeland South. Dixie Highway/US-1 is the main highway traveling both North and South out of Pinecrest.
Recreation and Extracurriculars:
Pinecrest Gardens is a central part of the community, bringing landscape and locals together. Evolving from the original Parrot Jungle, a luxurious spread of more than 1,000 types of exotic and rare tropical plants flourish amongst native palms, cypress and tropical hardwoods. Crisscrossed with streams, caves and fissures, there is much to explore and enjoy from the natural realm.
But there’s also plenty to do on the side of civilization and culture, too. A weekly farmer’s market (voted “Best Farmer’s Market in Miami” from Miami New Times Best of 2010) is held here, offering fresh produce and artisan crafts. Events and holiday festivals also take place in the Gardens, as well as outdoor movie screenings and a concert series featuring South Florida’s best jazz musicians. And to keep the littlest Pinecrest residents entertained, there’s a water playground, petting zoo, swan lake, camp programs and more.
In addition to the celebrated Pinecrest Gardens, there are six other parks in the area covering a wide range of ground. The 10 acres of Suniland Park provide multipurpose athletic fields, basketball courts, batting cages, a Wi-Fi connected gazebo, recreation center, and tot lot. Red Road Linear Park is a two-and-a-half mile cycling and walking path traveling along the Snapper Creek Canal, with three landscaped rest areas providing a nice break for trailgoers. Four and a half acres of passive green space with picnic tables and recreation areas are located in Veteran's Wayside Park, while more athletic fields and courts, rec centers, natural land and tot lots are found in both Evelyn Greer Park and Coral Pine Parks.
In 2008 the Pinecrest Community Center opened, acting as a neighborhood base where residents can utilize a top-of-the-line fitness center, take advantage of an extensive docket of programs geared toward area seniors, or participate in enrichment classes and lectures for locals of all ages.
