THE SUNTREE CULTURE

What is special about the Suntree lifestyle?

Let’s start with the natural environment that really distinguishes it from its busy central Brevard County location. We’re talking about an abundance of natural spaces, lakes and preserves surrounding neighborhoods situated along wide, tree-lined boulevards. Doesn’t that sound beautiful?

The neighborhoods consist of 4,500 homes on four square miles which are a part of Suntree Master Homeowners Association. And because people have a variety of different needs when it comes to the type of home that is right for them Suntree offers a diverse selection of homes to choose from. There’s one and two-story, single family homes as well as apartments, townhomes and condominiums.

A Suntree lifestyle is also well suited for a healthy, active lifestyle. People can be seen riding bikes along pathways that wind through the community, while others walk along pedways. Children play on the playgrounds of the two large community parks, Golf enthusiasts play on the 36 manicured holes of the Suntree Country Club or on two other 18-hole golf courses, and a soccer team enjoys a game on one of the ball fields.

A good education is another important part of a Suntree lifestyle. Suntree’s two elementary schools boast some of the highest test scores in the country. For higher education Suntree is within minutes of Eastern Florida State College and Melbourne Campus. There is also a county library available in Suntree.

When school is out and it’s family fun time there is an abundance of options to choose from. Suntree is only a 45 minute drive from Orlando attractions such as Disney theme parks, Universal Studios, Sea World, Islands of Adventure and Cirque du Soleil. Feel like taking a cruise? Port Canaveral is just minutes from Suntree. Want something a little closer to home? Try the Brevard Zoo, The King Center for the Performing Arts or any number of local shopping and dining establishments. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard Museum of Art & Science, Henegar Center for the Performing Arts, Brevard Symphony and historic downtown Melbourne and Cocoa are also nearby.

Other conveniences within Suntree are the Veterans Administration Clinic, Viera Hospital, the Brevard County Government Services Complex, the Brevard County School District’s administrative offices, Wal-Mart Super Center, Super Target and The Avenue at Viera, a major new shopping center housing restaurants, a wide variety of stores, and a 16-screen stadium seat cinema center.

Our website features the best Suntree area real estate search for homes, condos, land and foreclosure properties available. It is the only site you will ever need! It is easy-to-use and updated by the official Realtor’s database every 15 minutes. 

SAFETY, EDUCATION AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Making The Grade

Suntree is home to a number of award winning schools. These schools have earned awards on country, state and national levels. Brevard school district is one of two full accredited districts in the state and third in the nation in percentage of teachers holding National Board Certification. These schools include Suntree Elementary, faith based private schools, magnet and choice schools and charter schools.

In response to a U.S economic development push to turn workers into creators Suntree Elementary recently joined a movement called STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Art). Parents, teachers, older student volunteers and community business partners joined together to oversee hands-on stations that offer children bugs to hold, simple experiments and much much more.

Many high school students are able to graduate high school with an associate’s degree, before seeking out a college, thanks to advanced programs in English, math and science that are offered at many schools. For toddlers, not yet ready for school but eager to learn, there is VPK (Voluntary pre-kindergarten) offered at a few day-care centers in Viera. And for higher learning there is the nearby University of Central Florida satellite campus, Eastern Florida State College, Webster University, Keiser College and Florida Institute of Technology.

In the fall the Suntree Elementary Parent Teacher Organization puts together and event that people all over the community enjoy. The Suntree Community Fall Festival is held at the school and includes food trucks, carnival snacks, a vendor marketplace, silent auction, bake sale and more. Admission is free and open to the public. PTO vice president Amy Lew said “We want families to just come out and enjoy themselves at this Suntree Elementary tradition.”

Health Services

Viera Medical Parks is a medical community in Viera that serves residents in the area and beyond. Health First Health Park includes Viera Hospital, a medical office park and Pro-health and fitness center.

Health First Medical Group

This Brevard Country healthcare leader is comprised of 120 board certified physicians, 26 medical specialties and 15 locations on Florida’s Space Coast. The personalized care provided by the physicians and staff is complimented by the full range of diagnostic testing and ancillary treatments available.

Neighbors of Suntree

Neighbors of Suntree, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization which was founded in 1984. Their goal is to help newcomers to Suntree and surrounding areas meet their neighbors and get to know their new community. They offer informative programs and promote social and charitable projects. They hold a variety of activities every month and the membership fee is only $20 annually. There is an annual Welcome Coffee is held for all NOS members and adults interested in joining.

Suntree Lifestyle

A Suntree lifestyle in sunny, east central Florida is convenient for people of all ages. Everyone from families with young children all the way to active retirees benefit from the abundant recreational amenities, quality medical services, great shopping, the variety of businesses, A-rated schools and places of worship.

The Suntree Master Homeowners Association hosts the “Spring Fling Parade” each year. The most recent event featured the band Oceans performing various Top 40 and rock and roll favorites. Local eating venues operated concession stands serving healthy fast food and ice cream. There were also prizes for best float, best decorated golf cart, best car and best bicycles.

During the Christmas season SMHA sponsors “Light up Suntree”.  Several volunteer judges from their Community Relations Committee drive around looking for the best lighting displays and decorations. There are prizes for first, second and third place winners and a sign is placed in the grand prize winner’s yard to let their neighbors know they “lit up Suntree”.  SMHA community relations manager Kaye McKinney said “This is no easy task. There are many beautifully decorated homes and community entrances in Suntree.”

Spiritual Connections

Matters of faith are very important to Suntree residents. Services are well attended and congregations among the largest in the area. On summer evenings worshipers listen to a concert by the popular Indialantic Chamber Singers.  On autumn afternoons families visit pumpkin patches. On spring mornings people gather for a pancake breakfast held by the local Boy Scout troop. This is the life of the community of faith in Suntree.

Storage

Need a place to store your RV or boat? Suntree’s recreational vehicle storage facility, located at 7550 Spyglass Hill Road, is available to residents for a small fee. For more details contact the SMHA office.

Lakes and Waterways

Over 1,000 acres of tranquil lakes and waterways are located around Suntree and are the reason many residents have chosen Suntree as their home. Fishing is allowed as well as the use of non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes, etc. These lakes are maintained by the Suntree Master Homeowners Association which follows the Florida Department of Environmental Protection maintenance control plan. Suntree maintains a series of weirs to control water levels throughout the year and during serious storms. These controls are handled under the guidance of St. Johns River Water Management District and with the cooperation of Brevard County.

THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND SUNTREE

Have you ever seen a rhino up close? Fed a giraffe with your hand? Had a lorikeet land on your arm?

Located down the street from Suntree is the world-class Brevard Zoo. Funded by contributions and grants the zoo sits on 56 acres donated by A. Duda & Sons, Inc (The Viera Company’s corporate parent). Over 16,000 local citizens volunteered in the making of the zoo.

The mission of Brevard Zoo is “Wildlife Conservation through Education and Participation”. Over 550 animals representing over 165 species from four different continents make the zoo their home. In each section visitors enjoy the interactive sense of being in wild in the animals natural habitats.

There are many educational opportunities for children at Brevard Zoo. For starters there are the Zoo Academy and Jr. Zookeeper programs which provide children the chance to experience nature, the environment and the animals. In the summer there is Paws on Play, Night Hike Adventures, Zoopendous Overnights and Day camps. Multiple school districts work with the zoo to provide conservation led field trips and student volunteer opportunities.

Shopping and Dining

Need to do some shopping? There are a plentiful variety of shops in Suntree. Everything from nationally known retailers to local family-owned shops to the popular The Avenue Viera shopping center. And if you’re hungry after a day of shopping there are wonderful options in dining experiences which include chain restaurants as well as locally owned.

The Avenue Viera is situated on a lovely, park-like setting. In the center there is a large fountain, bronzed art sculptures and lush landscaping. In the summer jazz can be heard from the main courtyard while patrons sit and dine at local restaurants on clear moonlit nights.

Suntree Outdoors

Florida is known for having beautiful weather and Suntree is no exception. Mild, year-round temperatures let you really enjoy outdoor activities such as walks along nature trails, joining a tennis team or enjoying a major league game. Or just enjoy the beauty of nature that surrounds you in Suntree!

There is something to do for any age. Deep-sea fishing and waterskiing are available year-round at the Indialantic River and Lagoon and nearby beaches. Many residents enjoy fishing, surfing and boating along the Florida coastline thanks to Suntree’s close proximity to the Intracoastal Waterway and St. Johns River and beaches. If you’re into sports there are leagues for tennis, basketball, soccer, volleyball, golf and more.

Suntree Parks

Interlachen Park

The five-acre Interlachen Park is located at 409 Interlachen Road. It includes a shaded playground, pavilion and a variety of fun things for children such as swings, slides, climbing bars and more. There is also a Little League ball field which overlooks one of Suntree’s numerous lakes.

Jack Mahon Park

The fifteen-acre Jack Mahon Park is located at 7550 Spyglass Hill Road. It includes a huge shaded playground with contemporary play equipment that includes twisting and straight slides, climbing and hanging bars, tire swing and toddler and children swings. A covered pavilion is the perfect place to have your party or event. It has fans and electricity and is available for rent from the SMHA office year-round. There are also regulation basketball, bocce ball and horseshoe courts and equipment can be rented for free (with $20 refundable deposit) at the SMHA office. In the summer kids 4-13 enjoy participating in the Suntree Soccer Club held at the park. Suntree even holds their annual Fall Family Fun and Movie in the Park event at Jack Mahon Park.

Each fall the Fall Family Fun and Movie in the Park is open to the public and includes a kids costume contest, trick-or-treating, bouncy inflatables, food and drink vendors, two versions of a haunted hayride (a less scary version for little ones before dark and a scary version after dark for the older crowd) and of course a movie! Families bring blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy classic films such as Steven Spielberg’s “The Goonies” (being shown Oct 10th 2016 in honor of the films 30th anniversary). Volunteer Parks and Recreations Committee chair Heather Murdoch said “It is always such a fun, family environment. Regardless of whether you have kids or not, come out and enjoy yourself.”

Day Parks

Located throughout the community are five other parks. Residents relax and enjoy nature, fish in the lake, enjoy a picnic lunch or walk their dog. These parks are located at:

Andrews Boulevard & Wickham Road

Inverness Avenue near St. Croix

Jordan Blass Drive & St. Andrews Boulevard

North Pinehurst & Wickham Road

North Pinehurst near Mission Oak Drive

Suntree Country Club

When is tee time?  That’s up to you at Suntree Country Club’s 36-hole Championship golf course. This beautifully landscaped course includes two course greens. The recently renovated Classic Course was one of the first official tour stops for the Senior PGA Tour players through the 1980’s and into the early 90’s. The Challenge Course was designed by the world-renowned Arnold Palmer. The course plays through lakes, canals, marshlands and even an active bird and wildlife sanctuary! Gentle breezes from the Atlantic Ocean provide relief even during the warmest day.

Golf isn’t all that is available at this private, member-owned club. There are tennis and social/pool memberships, eight lighted tennis courts, a large multi-purpose sport court and an oversized swimming pool with sundeck. There are formal and casual dining areas, full service lounge areas and many member events and activities every month. There are even summer camps and spring break camps for children.

Duran Golf Club

Located minutes from Suntree is Duran Golf Club. This par 72, 18-hole championship golf course was designed by Lewis “Chip” Powell and is open to the public. It includes an expansive development center, a spectacular British West Indies style clubhouse, full service pro shop, restaurant and event facility.

Viera East Golf Club

This championship 18-hole course was designed by Joe Lee. Like Duran Golf Club it is surrounded by native marshlands with large practice facilities and driving ranges

Space Coast Stadium

Space Coast Stadium is the spring training home of the Washington Nationals baseball team and the regular season home of the Brevard County Manatees. It’s located just minutes from Suntree. Opened in 1994 and sits on land contributed by The Viera Company. It can seat as many as 8,100 fans.