Maplewood combines rural living and waterfront views
Located along Puget Sound’s Colvos Passage, Maplewood’s eastern shoreline has views of both the waterfront and the Cascade Mountains. More inland, the area becomes a patchwork of forested areas and farmland, curtesy of its location on Kitsap Peninsula’s southeastern side. “It’s the quieter end of town. It has more of a territorial, woodsy kind of feel, with cedar, hemlock and maple trees,” says Neil Bender, a real estate agent with Properties NW of Gig Harbor, who has been selling homes since 2005. “We called it Peacock Hill growing up.”
Single-family homes and estates with acreage
Most homes in Maplewood are located off winding country roads and surrounded by thick, mature trees. “You have larger lot sizes, so you can find more acreage. There are even some estate-type properties,” Bender says. Ranch-style homes and split levels built in the 1970s to 1990s are common. These properties cost around $400,000 to $800,000. There are also New Traditional single and multistory homes from the 1980s to 2020s. Some have Craftsman-inspired features such as pointed roofs and front porches, while others are more Colonial with simple vinyl exteriors and dormer windows. Prices range from $760,000 to $1.2 million, depending on property size, age and location. “Canterwood is a golf community. It’s gated with nice lots and custom homes. It’s an affluent community,” Bender says.
Along Maplewood’s shoreline are neighborhoods of waterfront properties, such as Point Richmond. There are raised ranches and larger, multistory homes with wrap-around porches, balconies and picture windows. These properties are priced between $950,000 and $2.5 million. Craftsman Estates are found close to Gig Harbor and go for similar prices for up to 4,500 square feet.
The CAP Index Crime Score in Maplewood is 1 out of 10; ccompared to the national average of 4.
Staying active at waterfront parks and lakes
Sunrise Beach Park is a dynamic green space with a beachfront portion where swimming and fishing are allowed. There are also picnic tables, a campsite and walking trails that connect to the Cascadia Marine Trail System. A popular scuba diving destination is accessible from the park. Crescent Creek Park is located at the northern tip of Gig Harbor and has a ship-themed playground, BMX Park and athletic courts for volleyball, tennis and basketball.
Crescent Lake sits in a semi-secluded area and has as boat launch for motorized watercraft. Fishing is popular on the water, and a handful of walking trails cut through the surrounding neighborhood. Canterwood Golf & Country Club is about 5 miles west of Maplewood. Members have access to an 18-hole golf course, outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts and a fitness center.
Top rated public schools in Pierce County
Maplewood is served by the Peninsula School District, which is a designated Purple Star district for its support of military families. Children living north of 144th Street NW can attend Purdy Elementary School, while the rest of the area heads to Swift Water Elementary. Both earn A-minus grades on Niche. Harbor Ridge Middle School also has an A-minus. The B-plus-rated Peninsula High School offers a Navy JROTC program and over 30 student clubs and organizations.
Nearby retail and restaurants in Gig Harbor
Since Maplewood is entirely rural and residential, residents have to travel for shopping and dining. “We’re always going to somewhere, it feels like,” Bender says. Gig Harbor North has national retailers and big-box stores located along Borgen Boulevard. There’s a Safeway, Target and Costco for both groceries and essentials. Fast-food eateries in the area include Pizza Hut and Panda Express.
Downtown Gig Harbor is about 7 miles south of Maplewood and has local shops and restaurants on Harborview Drive and Pioneer Way. There is everything from gift shops to specialty stores and clothing boutiques. Java & Clay Cafe is a coffee shop that doubles as a ceramics studio where patrons can paint their own mugs and bowls. Tides Tavern is an American bar and grill, and El Pueblito serves authentic Mexican cuisine. Multiple breweries and distilleries are also found in the area.
Navigating Maplewood’s winding roads
Maplewood’s expansive landscape and narrow country roads require a vehicle to get around. Crescent Valley Drive and Hallstrom Drive are the area’s main thoroughfares. Washington state Route 16 is accessible west of Maplewood and can be used to reach the mainland and Downtown Tacoma, around 22 miles away. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, or SeaTac, is roughly 43 miles away.
Gig Harbor’s social gatherings and events
With Gig Harbor just a short drive south, Maplewood residents often visit the area for city events. Summer Sounds is a summer concert series that takes place on Tuesday evenings at Skansie Brothers Park. There’s also the Maritime Gig Festival in June, which has a parade, car show, live music and food and craft vendors.
