A relaxed pace at Heritage Knolls
When Mary Fender first moved into Heritage Knolls almost 20 years ago, she recalls the neighborhood, like many others, was under construction.
"We didn't have to worry about traffic when the kids walked to school," Fender, who moved into one of the first several homes, said of the commute to River Woods Elementary School. "Naper Boulevard ended at Arlington. There wasn't really a street there."
“The proximity of the grammar school is what I liked about this neighborhood. It’s a very friendly neighborhood. We have a subdivision party every summer with a rib truck, karaoke and games.”
Sue O’Neill, Resident nine years
"We moved her last March from Lexington. We picked this town because it was the closest thing to Lexington. The school system is great. Pride in the community was key for us. We’ve found that in spades here.”
Will Gilliam, with wife Tammy Gilliam, Residents one year
Next week
Learn about the Brook Crossing neighborhood.
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1. Heritage Knolls Pond: The pond offers various neighborhood activities, including fishing and the annual Easter egg hunt. With a park bench overlooking the pond, it is also an ideal destination for neighborhood strolls and relaxation. According to resident Mary Fender, there has been "a big effort with the pond to educate homeowners ecologically not to put pollutants into the storm drains on the street." It was originally installed as a retention pond to prevent flooding. How to get there: The pond sits along Naper Boulevard, south of 87th Street, on the north side of the street just past Arlington Avenue.
2. Madison Junior High School: Like the other middle schools of Naperville District 203, Madison Junior High School is named after a U.S. president. Madison opened in 1978 as the fourth junior high school in the district, according to the school's Web site. Madison Junior High's mascot is the Warhawks because Congress was nicknamed that when President Madison was in office. The 2008 Illinois School Report Card states that Madison had a 2008 enrollment of 797 students, with average class sizes no larger than 22.4. How to get there: From 75th Street and Naper Boulevard, proceed south on Naper Boulevard to River Oaks Drive. Make a left (east) and continue to 1000 River Oak Drive.
3. Nancy Carroll's garden: Nancy Carroll's Dilorenzo Drive home in Heritage Knolls is "the focal point of the neighborhood," according to resident Mary Fender. Carroll is a former Naperville Garden Club president and current garden club member. Her garden overflows with flowers and foliage, which she often gives to friends and neighbors who request a bloom. In the spring, Carroll says she has more than 1,000 daffodils and tulips. Schoolchildren from nearby River Woods Elementary come for daffodils and to catch a glimpse of the hummingbirds that Carroll's garden attracts. Carroll has been living in Heritage Knolls for 20 years and has inspired and helped many of her neighbors plant gardens of their own. How to get there: Nancy Carroll's garden is along Dilorenzo Drive, which intersects Naper Boulevard just west of Alexandria Drive.
