Geography

The Pinehills (development) got its name from the Pine Hills (geographic feature), named long ago for its predominantly pine forestation and hilly terrain. Great Island sits right at the southern extent of the Pine Hills.

Extent

Great Island extends from the western shore of Great Island Pond, north to Island Pond Road, north-west to Beaver Dam Road, south-west to Clam Pudding Pond, south to Old Sandwich Road and south-east to Savery Road. Here is an aerial photo of Great Island taken just prior to development showing the extent of the community.

Great Island Extent (white clouds are reflected in this 2001 image of the pond)

NOTE: There are four incursions into the Great Island extent; The Pinehills Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF) property, a parcel of private property owned by the Woodland Realty Trust along Great Island Pond, The Pinehills Pond Amenity and Great Island (the street) which is owned by The Pinehills.

Elevations

Vertical elevations in the community range about 150' making for a rather interesting driving experience. Here is a USGS topographic map of Great Island prior to it's development showing why the area is called pine 'hills'. 

Habitat

The predominant pine forestation in the area explains why the area is called the 'pine' hills.  Great Island contains areas of white pine, pitch pine as well as areas with predominantly deciduous trees (primarily scrub oak).

Parts of Great Island is also classified as pine barrens. Pine barrens are a unique habitat in which hardwood trees are unable to establish themselves because of periodic forest fires. Plymouth supports the third largest pine barrens in the world.

A 100' buffer zone around the wetlands within and adjoining Great Island property is protected by the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. c. 131 s. 40 and Regulations 310 CMR 10.00 et seq., and Plymouth's Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Article 27 s.4 and Regulations. 3 (B) (1), (2).

Here are the seven (7) protected areas;

• The entire western shore of Great Island Pond (about 4,000 feet of shore line) which abuts Great Island property.
• A small (3.2 acre) pond called Little Island Pond on Del Webb maps located in the northern part of the community.
• A small (7.2 acre) pond called Clam Pudding Pond which abuts Great Island property and future Great Island homes.
• Three (3) vernal pools located on Great Island property.
  • one between Great Island's Little Island Pond and Great Island Pond.
  • one between Highbanks Landing and Great Island Pond.
  • one between White Trellis and Clam Pudding.
• One (1) vernal pool located next to Clam Pudding Pond which abuts community property.

Land Use

Land use around Great Island shows the rural character of the area. Here is an aerial photo showing the land use around the community prior to its development.

Development

The lots in the northern part of the community are Phase 1 - 7 of the development. The lots to the southeast are Phases 8 - 11 and are currently under development. The final phases will place homes along the eastern shore of Clam Pudding Pond and to the west of The Pinehills Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF).

Over 70% of the land within Great Island is preserved as open space, predominantly undisturbed forest.

Here is a map showing the lot layout of Great Island. The lots shaded in red are those sold as of 5/13/2006.

Here is an skypic.com aerial photograph of Great Island taken from the south showing an oblique view of the development in August, 2005.

The Overlook Clubhouse is in the center of the photograph. Great Island Pond is on the right. The Belltree neighborhood (under construction when the photograph was taken) is on the bottom center. The Manomet Landfill can be seen just above the community and the New Bedford Gas & Edison Light Company easement can be seen running straight down the center.