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Monday, March 04, 2024

Explore Ocean Pines, Maryland: A Premier Resort Community

Ocean Pines in Maryland is the perfect match for those who dream of resort-style living but don’t want to forego living in a friendly, close-knit community. This master-planned development on Maryland’s Eastern Shore started as a retirement resort but has metamorphized into the ultimate living experience for all ages. Today, it’s one of the largest neighborhoods on this side of Maryland. Learn why Ocean Pines is the ultimate destination for retirees, vacationers, golf enthusiasts, and everyone in between.

About Ocean Pines, MD

Life in Ocean Pines pairs serene coastal beauty with exciting activities, making it a retreat unique in Maryland. Lush woodlands frame breathtaking waterfront views of the Isle of Wight Bay, Haystack Pond, and Buck Island Pond. By design, Ocean Pines presents nine miles of waterfront property.

Its journey began in 1968 as a waterfront retirement resort. The views would be enticing enough for most people, but Ocean Pines doubled down and packed the development with amenities–both the fun and the essential. Residents found a coveted balance of resort living with the swimming pools, marinas, fitness center, and the comforts of home with easy access to dining, grocery stores, and banks.

High demand through the decades transformed the development into Worcester County’s largest residential community. Over 12,000 full-time residents love Ocean Pines. In the summertime, the neighborhood adds an additional 8,000 part-time inhabitants and guests who come to savor the Ocean Pines lifestyle. Drive around mid-July, and you’ll see a busy, fun-filled neighborhood with people of all ages enjoying their best lives.

River dock view in Maryland

Waterfront Leisure and Recreation

Imagine having picturesque waterfront property at your doorstep. Ocean Pines makes this dream a reality. Kayaking, boating, and scenic waterfront walks can be a daily ritual thanks to two marinas and two boat ramps exclusively for property owners. Not to mention, there are ample waterfront properties with direct access to the bays.

The Swim & Racquet Marina does rent paddle craft during the summer season and has 16 rentable docking slips for motorized craft. The maximum boat length is 22 feet. Ocean Pines Marina rents slips for craft up to 44 feet, plus sells fuel and boating supplies.

Next to the marina, the public Ocean Pines Yacht Club is a neighborhood focal point. The design echoes the sophistication and relaxation of a classic private Yacht Club with excellent dining overlooking the marina.

A Golfer’s Haven

Golf enthusiasts will treasure having a Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed championship golf course inside their community. This course is a pure jewel, promising a memorable experience for golfers of all skill levels. Catch sea breezes with each swing, making the game as refreshing as it is challenging.

A semi-private course, the public is welcome to play. Member benefits include discounted cart packages, golf shop discounts, and preferred tee times. Ocean Pines Golf Club provides instructional programs for junior and adult players at every skill level. Come for a sunny summer day to play or for a tournament.

In Touch with Nature

Stretched across 3,000 acres, Ocean Pines is a proud guardian of Maryland’s waterfront natural areas. Its parks and waterfront lure people in with their quiet breezes and the lapping waves. Residents have six walking trails totaling up to over eight miles. They wander through pristine coastal habitats, by ponds, and connect to the many sub-communities in Ocean Pines.

Thirteen park facilities guarantee nature is always moments away. Whether taking a leisurely walk or engaging in outdoor fitness, these parks add to the tranquil vibe of Ocean Pines. Plus, they have extra amenities like a dog park, a skate park, and an equestrian center.

Amenities for Every Interest

Residents and visitors to Ocean Pines enjoy an incredible selection of things to do. Stay busy with swimming pools and tennis courts. The recreation selection promises something that will appeal to every family member.

It starts with the Community Center, a hub for classes and community gatherings. From here, locals take arts and crafts classes, sign up for health seminars, bring the kids for basketball, or get the heart racing at Zumba classes.

The active Parks & Recreation Department also organizes Youth Sports Leagues in soccer, baseball, tennis, and basketball. The department runs a summer camp for kids at its many parks and organizes family-friendly and seasonal events like pumpkin paintings and a back-to-school bash. A pickleball and tennis league for all ages runs out of the Ocean Pines Racquet Center.

If that wasn’t enough, the community has five community pools, with four seasonally open outdoor pools and one indoor pool. Water-based lessons and fitness classes run from these locations.

A Community with Heart

Ocean Pines left no stone unturned. The developers understood creating a community takes more than parks and fitness facilities. It takes a network of essential services close at hand.

With its own police department, fire department, water system, public works department, and homeowner’s association, the Ocean Pines Association, Inc., residents don’t lose access to a comprehensive array of services and dedicated governance catering to their well-being. It’s just like living in a city without the actual designation.

Ocean Pines Neighborhoods

Ocean Pines MD home prices as of January 2024

Given that the area is the size and population of a small town, it makes sense Ocean Pines is divided into multiple sub-neighborhoods and developments.

The Ocean City Express bisects Ocean Pines. Two gates provide access, one North and one South. Ocean Parkway is the main road winding through the community, connecting both sides and providing access to the central amenities, like the community center and golf course.

The neighborhoods along the Parkway span assisted living, condominiums, and single-family homes. As a result, prospective buyers can find properties on the waterfront, with golf course views, or close to a park.

The larger sections of Ocean Pines are:

  • Pinehurst
  • Wood Duck Isle
  • Huntington
  • Newport
  • Teal Bay

What’s Near Ocean Pines

Sure, Ocean Pines is packed with things to do inside its borders. But sometimes, you do need to leave. For that, beautiful Ocean City is just five miles away and easy to access, thanks to the Ocean City Expressway that cuts through Ocean Pines and across the Isle of Wight Bay.

Ocean City directly faces the rolling Atlantic Ocean. It’s long been the summer retreat for Washington, DC, elite, and others seeking respite from their daily lives. Attractions in Ocean City include a three-mile boardwalk, energetic nightlife, and foods of all flavors. Enjoy big-city attractions with small-town charm nearby.

Outside the neighborhood borders are three additional golf courses, a municipal airport, the Isle of Wight wildlife area, and Assateague Island with its wild horses.

Your Next Chapter Awaits

Ocean Pines is where life’s moments become cherished memories. As evident in this overview, the neighborhood delivers an unsurpassed quality of life thanks to the available full suite of activities and amenities. This isn’t just a place to live; it’s a place to thrive. Embrace exceptional living on the Eastern Shore and find your Ocean Pines home today.

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Preston Guyton