Just for the fun of it
Some communities come pre-packed with rich choices for recreation
Years ago, in a classic performance, Frank Sinatra conveyed the dreams of today's homebuyers.
"You'd be so nice to come home to," he sang. "You'd be so nice, you'd be paradise, to come home to and love."
Buyers who seek a "paradise to come home to" can find it if they carefully evaluate both the home for sale and the community where the house is located.
At the Preserve at Cardinal Creek, in Beecher, residents have escaped from the ordinary to an expansive, peaceful environment with resort-style features.
A quality golfing links, the Cardinal Creek Golf Course, rambles throughout the community, offering 27 holes of golf and a pleasing expanse of open green space. Native wildlife including migratory waterfowl are drawn to lagoons along the course.
A cardio-fitness course is set along long, winding trails ideal for hiking, biking and skating.
Residents enjoy access to a private clubhouse where they can entertain friends and family. The complex includes a fitness center, swimming pool, locker rooms and great room with leather couches and majestic fireplace.
The scene is at the Preserve at Cardinal Creek is one of neighborly friendliness, relaxation and fun.
"Beecher is far from the congestion, noise and traffic of other communities," said Sharon Kotlarz, sales manager in the Preserve at Cardinal Creek. "We are close enough for a commuter, but far enough away to raise your family in a real home town with great schools and a tremendous sense of community."
"There are many subdivisions where you can purchase a new house, but all you have is the house. In the Preserve at Cardinal Creek, you can have a quality built home, plus an exceptional lifestyle in a community where living is easy and neighbors are friends," Kotlarz said.
The community is nestled in Beecher, a charming small town with top-rated schools located just minutes from Interstates 394, 94, 80 and 57.
The Preserve at Cardinal Creek is located 26 minutes from Orland Park and 35 minutes to Chicago's Loop. Metra transportation and major shopping centers are nearby.
This warm, inviting community makes an impressive grand entrance with stone monuments, gently curved streets and professionally landscaped, tree-lined boulevards.
Eight luxury home plans, with a wide variety of 18 unique front elevations, range from sprawling ranches to stately two-story designs. These executive styled homes are priced from the mid $200's.
For a virtually maintenance-free lifestyle, carefree townhomes are also available. These "free-from-care" homes include free standing ranch and two-story designs with first floor master suites, as well as popular duplex designs. They are priced from the $170's.
Those wanting to visit the Preserve at Cardinal Creek can take Interstate 80/94 to I-394; exit south to Dixie Highway (Route 1) and continue south about four miles to Indiana Avenue. Turn east to Cardinal Creek Boulevard and left to the model homes. The professionally decorated models are open daily from 11a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call (708) 946-1560 or go to mgm-homes.com.
Meanwhile, at the Hibernia subdivision in New Lenox, it's time for fishing, splashing, beach volleyball and all-around play.
At the Hibernia, on Spencer Road just south of Route 30 in New Lenox, a new type of park has opened in time for summer. This 13.4-acre park, aptly named Hibernia Park, redefines neighborhood recreation by creating a variety of amusements for all ages, including a boat launch and boat house for the lake, sand volleyball court, picnic pavilion, splash pad, creative play area, fishing stations and playground equipment.
Trees and foliage also surround the walking and biking trail, which meanders around the park and 8-acre lake.
"We are very excited about this park," said Shirley Braglia, recreation superintendent of the New Lenox Community Park District. "Because of a matching state grant, we were able to put together a large park and provide many different amenities to give the community a great opportunity. We will be offering rental of paddle boats and john boats and have a concession where snacks and even live bait will be sold for the fishing stations."
The park had a construction budget of $530,000.
"This is the most unique 'out-of-the-box' park in the area," said Robert Zobel, director of sales for Hartz. "It really offers so many ways for kids and adults to have fun and use the park. We are happy to be able to offer this to Hibernia residents.
They have a front-row seat to use this park every day."
Developed by Hartz, the Hibernia community takes semi-custom luxury homes to a new level by providing the desired style and elegance at no additional cost, so buyers can have the home they want, exactly the way they want it.
Standard features make these homes luxurious right from the start, providing instant style. The features, worth $50,000 if purchased separately, include hardwood oak flooring, Corian countertops, raised-panel oak and designer oak or maple cabinetry, stainless steel kitchen appliances with built-in microwave, whirlpool tub, oak staircase, brick fireplace, full basement (per plan), three-car attached garage and concrete driveway. Standard Energy Star features include additional insulation in the walls, windows and ceilings and energy efficient equipment to save up to $1,400 per year in heating and cooling bills.
Now is the time to buy in New Lenox. With the new Interstate 355 extension, the area has new shopping opportunities and easy accessibility to the northern suburbs.
A neighborhood theater and local park district offerings provide ample recreation with a wide variety of programs for all ages and 400 acres of parkland, plus an 18-hole Scottish links golf course.
Near Interstates 80 and 57, New Lenox is easily accessible to suburbs and downtown Chicago, as well as interstate travel. Two Metra stations take commuters to downtown Chicago in as little as 45 minutes.
Hibernia is served by the highly acclaimed Lincolnway High School District and New Lenox elementary schools, which have both been recognized for academic, extracurricular and fiscal achievements.
To visit the five decorated models, take Route 30 to Spencer Road (5 miles west of LaGrange Rd.) and go south two blocks. The information center is open daily Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For information, call (815) 462-1210 or visit Hartz online at www.hartzhomes.com.