Ashbury: No 'cookie-cutter neighborhood'
In Ashbury, it's all about the amenities.
Developed in the late 1980s by MidAmerica Development, according to homeowners association president Ari Rosenthal, Ashbury stands out because of its many amenities. Those include a zero-depth pool to a spacious park to a clubhouse.
"(The developers were) smart enough to put the most important parts up front -- the pool and clubhouse," said Rosenthal, a resident since the early 1990s. "If you look around at other neighborhoods and other pools, I still think Ashbury is the gem of them all."
• Ashbury
• City-Data.com: Ashbury demographics
"We like our neighbors. It's a friendly neighborhood. It's always been a young neighborhood, so it's nice to have kids. (We'll) walk to the clubhouse and the pool, too."
Helen Summers, resident about 17 years
"There are lots of kids our age to play kickball with, and we're really close to the pool."
Matthew Zurlo, 8, resident 5 years
Because there were 50 or 60 builders, by Rosenthal's estimate, and because the homeowners association makes architectural approvals before construction can take place, Ashbury features a wide variety of homes among the more than 1,150 that exist.
"It's not your cookie-cutter neighborhood," Rosenthal said.
Up to three times as large as some of the newer subdivisions in Naperville, Ashbury remains a friendly and connected community.
"(It's) just like a little family," said Alice Dougherty-Rosenthal, who is married to Ari Rosenthal. "It's a great way for kids to grow up, and it's great for the adults. I know there are probably other subdivisions that might be similar, but some friends who have moved to other subdivisions have said, 'Oh, I wish I was still in Ashbury!' We planned on being here just a short while, but 19 years later, we're still here. We really enjoy it here."
• Ashbury encompasses 1.08 square miles
• Population: 4,258
• A household in Ashbury has on average a full person more than the number of people in an average Naperville home (3.9 vs. 2.9)
Source: www.city-data.com
1. Patterson Elementary School: The Indian Prairie District 204 school in Naperville is home to the Prairie Dogs. The K-5 school had a 2008 enrollment of 745 and was rated 83 of 100 by www.city-data.com. The average teacher, according to the interactive Illinois Report Card, has more than 10 years experience. Patterson PTA president Laura McDonald said on the school's Web site that the PTA offers 1,701 volunteer opportunities for parents. The last day of classes for this year is Monday, June 8.
How to get there: Access it from the intersection of Route 59 and 95th Street by heading west on 95th street until you reach Book Road. Make a right on Book and then a left on Conan Doyle Road. From there, turn right on Lawrence. The school is at 3403 Lawrence Drive, on the right side of the street.
2. Ashbury Park: The park, 1740 Conan Doyle Road, has two football fields, two baseball diamonds, 26.79 acres, 1/5th of a mile of bike trail, four tennis courts and 32 parking spaces. It is part of the Naperville Park District.
How to get there: It is on the southwest side of the intersection of Conan Doyle and Book roads. Head west on 95th from Route 59 to reach Book Road, and then turn right on Book until you reach Conan Doyle Road.
3. The clubhouse: The Ashbury Clubhouse and aquatic center, with a zero-depth pool, sand volleyball and water slide, houses various community activities and the resident Ashbury Alligators swim team. According to resident Alice Dougherty-Rosenthal, the Ashbury Clubhouse is home to book clubs, scrapbooking clubs, kids Christmas parties and Easter egg hunts, among other activities. And the pool "enticed a lot of people to the neighborhood," Dougherty-Rosenthal said.
How to get there: It is accessible by continuing west on Conan Doyle Road, past the park at the intersection of Conan Doyle and Book roads, until you reach Lawrence Drive. Make a right on Lawrence and the clubhouse is on the right at 3404 Lawrence Drive.
