University Heights: Parks, kids and big yards
Winding down College Road, a driver can turn onto a street named for any one of the nation's top universities: Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Cornell. This is University Heights, a family-oriented neighborhood flush with parks, kids and spacious yards.
Built between 1983 and 1985, according to Jim Novak, Realtor for Century 21 and a University Heights resident, the neighborhood provides affordable single-family homes in Naperville. Novak said three-bedroom homes range between $250,000 and $300,000. Novak lists other benefits as the proximity to I-355 and a bus service to the Naperville Metra Station.
"It's situated far enough away from the Route 59 congestion, while not being too far from the downtown area," Novak said.
• University Heights
"There are a lot of kids in the schools, lots of parks."
Emma Kozurek, 11
With her mom, Kathy; brother, Henry, 7; and dog, Willa
Residents 10 years
"I like the parks and the library system. We go to storytelling a lot."
Brian Bries
With his daughter, Lauren, 5
Residents 3 years
Another benefit, joked Emma's mother, Kathy Kozurek, is the nearby ice cream.
Good to know
• Many of the streets are named for universities, such as Yale and Dartmouth courts.
• University Heights encompasses 1.573 square miles and has a population of 6,139, according to www.city-data.com
• There is no homeowners association for University Heights.
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1. University Heights Park: This 9.9 acres is in the heart of the University Heights neighborhood. Featuring a modern playground with safe mulch ground, the park is a popular neighborhood destination. On a recent Wednesday evening, families walked from the nearby ice cream shop to the park to enjoy the warm weather.
How to get there: Take 75th Street east from Washington, and make a right on Wehrli Road. Continue south until you reach Lisson Road and make another right. Make a right on Canyon Run Road and another quick right on River Oak Road, and the park will be ahead on the right side at 1315 River Oaks Drive.
2. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish: The church on the south end of University Heights serves residents of University Heights and other nearby neighborhoods of the Catholic faith. St. Elizabeth Seton Parish is part of the Diocese of Joliet and offers various ministries for parishioners, including youth ministry, music ministry, health ministry and ministry for the sick and homebound. Additionally, the parish offers employment transition help.
How to get there: It is at 2220 Lisson Road, where Lisson Road meets 87th Street, east of Washington Street and west of Wehrli Road.
3. University Commons: The neighborhood shopping center in the University Heights neighborhood offers a variety of retail establishments and restaurants for guests, including animal care, dry cleaning, ice cream, pizza and more. The center is within walking distance for many of the residents of University Commons.
How to get there: The shopping center is accessible by taking 75th Street east from Washington, and making a right on Wehrli Road. Continue until you reach 1801 Wehrli Road.
