The Pines is home to a number of businesses, including the local pet supply store. Immediately to the south is a large residential area filled with big homes on huge lots! There is a man-made lake and retention pond separating the stores to the north from the residential neighborhood. Within the area are the Spruce Creek High School and the Sweetwater Elementary School.
Being right at the junction of Dunlawton Avenue and Clyde Morris Boulevard means being at the corner of a bustling intersection. There is a huge Walmart Supercenter, a Publix Supermarket, and a Target for variety. If you like to eat out, there are plenty of restaurants all up and down Dunlawton for you and your family to enjoy.
There aren't any parks within walking distance, but there is a vast area of woods and a small lake at the northern end of the high school athletic fields. Beyond this, you are within twenty minutes or less of the Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.
This area stays busy from sun up to sun down. The only time it seems to slow down is during the early morning hours. Both Dunlawton and Clyde Morris have wide sidewalks running along both sides of them but, unless your dog is very used to walking close to the constant noise and motion of heavy traffic, you should consider sticking to the residential areas where it's quieter.
However, the one thing missing from the housing area is sidewalks. This means you and your dog will be stuck to walking on the roads. This shouldn't be a problem, providing you keep an eye out for vehicles and walk against traffic. However, it could be the pedestrian traffic that poses a problem instead. As a family neighborhood that is fairly easy to navigate because of the lack of hills, there may be a number of others out and about. Exercise caution if your pup is easy to startle!
To the southeast of the community is a large lake and area of woods you can use for your daily walks. The shady trails offer a welcome relief from the sun's relentless glare.
To the east on Dunlawton Avenue and over the Halifax River is the beach. Pack the whole family in the car along with a picnic lunch and you can enjoy some time on the sand. Take the dog for a long walk in either direction and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine!
About 20 minutes to the west out on US-92 is the Tiger Bay State Forest and Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area. The WMA covers over 30,000 acres of forests, scrub, wetlands, lakes, creeks, and more! There are miles of trails for the two of you to hike along, hundreds of birds and animals to look for, and a wide variety of terrain to make your hikes a little more challenging.