If you visit the Communities link https://www.activeadultsdelaware.com/neighborhood/ at the Active Adults Web site you’ll see several dozen neighborhoods through Delaware offering a range of features. Some are comprised primarily of homes and perhaps a pool. Others have more amenities – with pickleball courts, club houses and walking trails being especially popular. But there are some, including The Peninsula https://www.activeadultsdelaware.com/neighborhood/peninsula/ that offer beautiful homes and the ultimate resort lifestyle.
The amenities here are extraordinary. There’s a gorgeous golf course that’s been deemed a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” for its natural features that support wildlife and nature trails that offer spectacular views of the Indian River Bay. There’s also a state-of-the-art fitness center accompanied by both tennis and pickleball courts alongside a large indoor pool for year-round lap swimmers, an outdoor pool for hot summer days, and a wave pool for your visiting grandkids. And for those days and nights when you want to enjoy a great meal close to home there’s The Terrace Grill, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
While you can explore these amenities at our site or during a tour, I thought it would also be helpful to hear from a local resident – Anita Carter – who with her husband has owned both a condominium and a single family home in The Peninsula for several years.
A Vacation Spot, Investment, and Forever Home
The Carters bought a condo at the Peninsula in 2005 and used it as a vacation home until 2013, when they rented it to year-round tenants while capping off their careers in California. When they moved back in September 2021 they had the opportunity to work with Garrison Builders on a custom home in the “Sanctuary” section. A chief driver of the decision to move back to Delaware was the opportunity to remain at the Peninsula – with good reason since they’re right on the 7th hole of the golf course and overlook the Indian River Bay.
Equally exciting was the opportunity to work with the builder on major finishes such as the kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, flooring and lighting.
Where Nature Takes Center Stage
While the Carters love the coastal vibe that prevails in the community’s townhouses, patio homes and custom single family homes, they especially appreciate living in a nature preserve where the wildlife is protected. At virtually every turn there are expansive vistas of forests, gently sloping hills and the pristine golf course that’s beautifully integrated into the Peninsula’s avenues and other recreational offerings. While Anita doesn’t play a lot of golf, she says the course itself enhances the natural beauty of the whole community with deer and rabbits always in close proximity. Neighbors who do play appreciate the full-time golf pros and tournaments.
And Tennis and Pickleball Offer Fitness and Fun
Anita loves tennis, and appreciates being able to play on both the four hard court surfaces and the two “Har-Tru” surfaces that are gentler on knees and other joints. One of those tennis courts also accommodates pickleball players but there are also six courts dedicated solely to pickleball. Between April and September there’s a full-time pro offering lessons for both sports, with an additional part-time pro during the summer. There’s also lots of camaraderie with round-robin play on weekends and a tournament at the end of the summer.
With Social Activities for All Types
In addition to the fabulous pool, the Peninsula’s Athletic Center offers cardio and weight exercise equipment along with fun classes in line dancing, Tai Chi and a lot more. Old school gamers also love the organized canasta, mahjong and pinochle events and people of all ages love the bike-friendly streets and walking trails.
All-in-all, Anita says, “The Peninsula is a friendly community where you can always find your own group of people. We also love the philanthropic activities, especially the “Clothing Our Kids” program for Sussex County elementary school students, which was started here. And recently more than 150 homeowners competed in the “Penn-lympics” with modified competitions that raised over $8,000 for Special Olympics.”