Pinecrest
The village of Pinecrest was incorporated in 1996 and is located south of Downtown Miami and the Miami International Airport. As a village with several names, Tree City USA, Playful City USA, and a Community of Respect, Pinecrest is also known as one of the most beautiful residential areas in all of South Florida. Known for its excellent schools and high quality of life, Pinecrest has established itself as a residential neighborhood with a small town feel, conveniently located near the city.
History
The area now known as the village of Pinecrest was first developed in the 1950s with rows of ranch-style homes on acre lots to create a rural community with lush landscaping. This area continued to grow and develop, booming in the 1990s, which led to the village becoming incorporated. Prior to the 1950s, this land was originally a staging area for the railroad construction in the early 1900s. By the 1930s, the land was being developed into a community and became home to one of Miami’s first tourist attractions, Parrot Jungle and Gardens. The attraction is known today as Pinecrest Gardens and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Â
Community
Pinecrest has plenty to offer its residents with a focus on green initiatives and community events. The community takes pride in its history of environmental activism and sensitivity which is clear with their green initiatives. There is a green action plan, emissions forecast, and several community programs like adopt-a-tree, charging stations, and being known as Tree City USA, all of which showcase Pinecrest’s devotion to maintaining a green community.
The community calendar is very family friendly with plenty of children-centric events throughout the year. The yearly calendar has a consistent showcase of concerts, gallery openings, movie nights, and festivals. The village website also has pages for community garage sales, lost and found pets, and the Pinecrest people mover, creating a very small town or hometown feel throughout the village.
Destination
While Pinecrest isn’t exactly a tourist neighborhood, compared to some of the other neighborhoods in the great Miami area, it is a great residential location for those looking for a small town feel while still being close to Downtown Miami. Pinecrest has a great focus on green space, and is a budding community. Many Miamians travel to Pinecrest to visit its parks and see its enormous banyan trees. This beautiful residential area is a destination for establishing roots, enjoying a more recently established community, and partaking in hometown style community events, from the chili cook-off to the movie nights in the park.
