Mashpee

Mashpee Neck, a peninsula along Cape Cod’s southern edge, is a popular second home for many families. The neck was originally inhabited by members of the Wampanoag tribe, many of whom still live in Mashpee today. Neighborhood residents have access to dog-friendly trails in the Mashpee River Woodlands, ample opportunities for boating and the nearby Mashpee Commons, an upscale retail and dining area. Golfers prize the community’s three nine-hole courses, which have been frequented by a long list of greats, including Greg Norman and John Daly. Nature lovers enjoy Mashpee’s nearly endless supply of outdoor recreation. The 248-acre Mashpee River Reservation, along the western edge of the Mashpee Neck peninsula, has several loop trails through pine barrens and along the river. To the west of Mashpee Neck is the 5,871-acre Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, where hikers, hunters and birdwatchers can immerse themselves in Massachusetts coastal swamps and cranberry bogs. Boaters of all kinds enjoy the neck — kayakers can paddle down the narrow Mashpee River, hoping to spot osprey and bald eagles. Those with motorized boats can launch from their docks, the Mashpee Neck Boat Ramp or the private ramp at Mashpee Neck Marina. Some head to the sandy beach on the Popponosset Spit, says Jamie Regan, the senior vice president of the Regan Southworth Group with Compass Osterville, who has lived in Mashpee for more than 40 years. He says that others take day trips to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket. Members of Willowbend can play one of the three nine-hole championship courses or lounge by the pool. Around 2 miles west of the residential Mashpee Neck neighborhood is Mashpee Commons, a walkable shopping center. New homeowners can grab furnishings and housewares at Williams Sonoma or Pottery Barn, and the Mashpee Fresh Market, Roche Bros. and Stop & Shop cover grocery needs. Mashpee Commons also has several restaurants, varying from elegant French food at Bleu to more casual meals at Bobby Byrne’s. “Bobby Byrne’s makes a phenomenal Reuben with fish,” Regan says. Closer to the community is Sprout Farm Stand on Quinaquisset Avenue, which carries Cape Cod farm-fresh produce. For more traditional Cape Cod-style dining, Regan says that locals swear by the stuffed quahogs at Kettle Ho Restaurant & Taverna, which is about 2 miles east of Mashpee Neck. In Mashpee Neck, housing caters mostly to summer residents who value access to water and resort-style amenities. Most homes lie in subdivisions, each of which provides a different set of amenities. The Willowbend community, located in the northern portion of the peninsula, offers luxury new traditional-style builds that usually range from $1.6 million to $2.3 million. Members of Willowbend enjoy access to a pool, clubhouse and 27 holes of golf. At the southern end of the neck is Pirates Cove, a private neighborhood comprised of late 1900s and early 2000s single-family homes that share access to three private beaches. Ranch-style houses in the heart of Pirates Cove list in the $500,000s to the $700,000s, and those directly on the water may top $1.4 million. There are also some small streets off Mashpee Neck Road, with Cape Cods and ranch styles priced in the $400,000 to $800,000 range. In the weeks leading up to the Fourth of July, towns all over the cape have fireworks shows, giving everyone several opportunities to celebrate. Mashpee’s show usually takes place about a week before Independence Day. At the end of July, “people come from all over to go to the Barnstable County Fair,” Regan says. The week-long fair takes place at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds, approximately 5 miles from Mashpee Neck. It has rides, a full array of fried treats and the world’s largest Demolition Derby. In December, the annual Season of Illumination Parade brings locals out to celebrate the winter holidays. In addition to annual events, the Mashpee Recreation Department offers a slew of spring and summer programs, including kids clamming classes, adult qi gong and mermaid swim classes for females 13 and older. Mashpee Neck residents often use their car or boat to get around the cape. As Regan says, during summer months, “it takes a while to get places,” so many locals prefer to travel by boat when possible. There is also a Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority bus stop in Mashpee Commons for those who want to get around the cape without having to worry about parking. The buses also stop at the CapeFLYER stations — trains run to and from Boston on Friday evenings and weekend days throughout the summer. Residents who need to get to New York or Boston quickly can fly out of the Cape Cod Gateway Airport in Hyannis, which is about 12 miles from Mashpee Neck. Those looking for a ferry to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket can find several services in Falmouth, about 11 miles west of the community. Year-round residents of Mashpee Neck can send their children to Mashpee Public Schools, a district that rates a B-plus on Niche. Elementary-aged kids begin at Kenneth C. Coombs School, which gets a B-plus rating and teaches prekindergarten through second grades. Third through sixth graders can attend B-rated Quashnet School. Mashpee Middle-High School serves grades seven through 12 and earns a B-plus score. In seventh grade, students take a world languages course that includes an emphasis on the culture and language of the Wampanoag people. As Mashpee Neck is surrounded by water, low-lying areas are at increased risk of flooding. Homebuyers may be required to purchase flood insurance and should ensure that their home meets the latest building code requirements. In addition, all residents should become familiar with storm procedures and the Cape Cod Emergency Traffic Plan.

Though most Cape Cod visitors know Hyannis, Sandwich and Provincetown well, most have never heard of Monomoscoy Island. Connected to the town of Mashpee by a paved causeway, the island was once home to the Wampanoag people. Now it serves as a haven for retirees, summer visitors and long-time cape residents. Not many tourists venture to the island relative to the rest of the cape, and the ones that do often visit the area by bike. Most residents own boats, which are moored at private docks around the island — boat travel is often the preferred mode of transportation. Locals can spend their days exploring the ponds, rivers and wildlife refuges that surround their narrow island. Boaters can easily access all the beaches along Waquoit Bay. Callie’s Beach, on the eastern edge of the bay, is a popular spot for windsurfing or just strolling through the soft, white sand. Explorers head to the shores of Washburn Island, along the bay’s western side. “The military used to do amphibious training exercises there during World War II. There are old skeletons of wrecked vehicles — you can only get there by boat,” says Jamie Regan, the senior vice president of the Regan Southwest Group with Compass Osterville, who lives on Monomoscoy Island. Some people also take day trips to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a change of pace, he says. Families can visit the Cape Cod Children’s Museum year-round. The museum is around 3 miles from the island, and it features interactive exhibits that educate kids about the history and culture of Cape Cod. The island used to be covered in small summer cottages, but most have been replaced with sturdily built homes designed for year-round living. There are three-bedroom contemporary beach cabins and cedar-shingled Cape Cods, as well as grand, custom-built residences with side gables overlooking the water, expansive stone patios and large docks. Not many houses come on the market — most stay within families for generations. Recent sales have included an inland cottage for around $800,000 and a two-bedroom waterfront home for $2 million. Homeowners maintain their own septic systems and get water from the town of Mashpee. Summer months bring a flurry of activities and events to the cape. There are Independence Day fireworks displays and parades spread out over the month of July — Mashpee usually holds its celebration closer to the end of the month. The Barnstable County Fair is the crowning event of the summer, and crowds flock to the fairgrounds, about 6 miles from the island, where they can savor funnel cake, pet furry farm animals and watch daredevil acts. The Mashpee Recreation Department also offers a variety of adult clinics, from horseback riding to pickleball, allowing adults to stay active. In December, year-round residents decorate their boats and use them as floats for the Season of Illumination Parade, which passes through Mashpee Commons. Mild winters mean that residents can grow their own fresh vegetables. “I’ve had the same kale plants for years. We don’t get much snow,” Regan says. “I’ve also won a few blue ribbons at the Barnstable County Fair for growing tomatoes.” Locals are also just 4 miles from Mashpee Commons, a walkable retail area. There, shoppers can browse Vineyard Vines, Williams Sonoma and The Black Dog General Store for housewares and clothing. Mashpee Fresh Market and Roche Bros. carry a full range of groceries. The commons also has a mix of casual and upscale eateries, including Estia, which offers Greek food, and Bleu, which specializes in French cuisine. Cooke’s Seafood is about a half mile from Mashpee Commons. “They have fantastic seafood, and their pricing is very reasonable for the cape,” Regan says. Most homes on Monomoscoy Island border bodies of water — either Hamblin Pond, Little River or Great River — and the majority have docks. “We say that the Boston Whaler is the state bird — locals take their boats everywhere,” Regan says. “There are boating safety courses so kids 12 and up can get a license.” For inland travel, residents have a paved, two-lane road that leads on and off the island. The village of Hyannis is about 15 miles from the island, and it has a seasonal train service to Boston as well as the Cape Cod Gateway Airport. Children who live year-round on Monomoscoy Island can attend schools within the Mashpee Public Schools district, which earns a B-plus on Niche. Elementary students begin at B-plus-rated Kenneth C. Coombs School and then switch to B-rated Quashnet School for third through sixth grades. Mashpee Middle-High School, a combined school that serves seventh through 12th graders, receives a B-plus. Its curriculum includes an emphasis on world languages, including the language of the local Wampanoag tribe. Island living carries the risk of flooding, which means that many homes will require additional flood insurance. Buyers who are new to the area should familiarize themselves with local building codes and emergency procedures, particularly the Cape Cod Emergency Traffic Plan.

The small community of Popponesset has been a family summertime destination on Cape Cod for generations. “Many people who grew up coming here in the summer have now bought their own places,” says Marian Oost-Lievense, a Realtor with New Seabury Sotheby’s International Realty and a decades-long resident of Popponesset. “It’s a throwback — you’ll see kids riding their bikes to the community center with their baseball mitts hanging off their handlebars.” Though fewer than 20% of residents make their year-round home in Popponesset, neighbors build strong ties through community activities and time spent together on the beach. Some properties are passed within families. Popponesset residents have exclusive use of their community beach. Members of the beach association receive a flag each year, which serves as their entry pass to the beach. Locals can set up umbrellas and beach chairs and spend the day playing with their kids. In addition to their association beach, the Popponesset Spit is also accessible on foot. The spit is a sandy peninsula that separates Popponesset Bay from Nantucket Sound. Parts of it are protected by the Massachusetts Audobon Society, as a few species of birds use it for nesting. Kids also spend their days playing at the community playground or riding their bikes to the footbridge across Dean Pond, where they can fish for perch and sunfish. “They let the fish go — sometimes they catch snapping turtles, and they have to cut their lines,” Oost-Lievense says. Popponesset homeowners pay an annual fee to the Popponesset Beach Association, which funds road maintenance and the upkeep of the Popponesset Beach Community House, among other things. Oost-Lievense says that the community house offers arts and crafts workshops twice a week for kids and pickup softball and soccer games in the field beside it on weekday mornings with adult supervision. “It’s not about winning and losing. It’s about fun and friendship,” Oost-Lievense says. On the Fourth of July, the association hosts a bike parade and field day. “There are wheelbarrow races, potato sack races and it ends with an egg toss. We have around 18 dozen eggs, and it often isn’t enough! Participants range from young children to grandparents.” At the end of July, community members can participate in the 5K Popponesset Road Race. There are fewer than 600 homes in Popponesset, and several of them have been passed from generation to generation. Housing consists of a few original mid-1900s cottages, sided with cedar shake shingles. Many of the original cottages have been updated or added onto, and buyers might find a renovated three-bedroom Cape Cod-style residence priced between $975,000 and $1.8 million. In some cases, homeowners have chosen to tear down their cottages and build a new place from scratch. A few of these spacious post-2000s builds have come on the market in the $4 million to $5 million range. They also boast cedar shake shingles, as well as gambrel-roofed gables and wide porches with views of the Nantucket Sound. In the summer months, residents can bike or drive to Popponesset Marketplace, which is between 0.5 and 1 mile of neighborhood homes. The marketplace is a small cluster of stores and restaurants, including a market that stocks fresh produce and other essentials. Most of the shops are only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day, though some keep weekend hours through the fall. The Raw Bar, which is known for its overstuffed lobster rolls, stays open well into October. For larger grocery trips and more restaurant options, people drive to Mashpee Commons, which is about 4 miles north. There, shoppers can find a Roche Bros. supermarket and a Stop & Shop. There is also a walkable outdoor mall with The Black Dog General Store, Vineyard Vines and around 10 restaurants. Within the community, people get from place to place via bike or on foot. For safety reasons, the community association does not allow cars to drive down to the beach so that pedestrians and young children on bikes can safely use the streets. Wading Place Road is the primary route in and out of the community — drivers can take it to connect back to Great Neck Road. Hyannis is about 17 miles from Popponesset. In Hyannis, there is a summer weekend commuter train called the CapeFLYER, which makes trips to and from Boston. There is also a small airport, the Cape Cod Gateway Airport, offering flights to Boston and New York City. Though the majority of Popponesset homeowners are not year-round residents, there is a school district that serves children who live in the area full time. Mashpee Public Schools is a B-plus-rated district with an 11-1 student-teacher ratio. Children can attend Kenneth C. Coombs School for prekindergarten through second grades and transition to Quashnet School for third through sixth grades. Coombs earns a B-plus rating, and Quashnet receives a B. From seventh grade onward, students go to the combined Mashpee Middle-High School, which gets a B-plus on Niche. Mashpee Middle-High offers world languages, including an introductory course on the language and culture of the native Wampanoag people. All of the homes in Popponesset, as in most of Cape Cod, rely on their own private septic systems. A septic inspection is a required part of the homebuying process. Some of the properties with high water tables may require raised septic fields. Additionally, buyers should research whether or not they will need to purchase flood insurance.