Delano

Tucked in Wichita's northwestern region, Delano Township is a growing suburban sprawl offering lakeside living, ample private community hubs and rural tranquility. Prior to the last decade, the area sat empty, and while much of the terrain remains untouched, custom-built homes in the Sandcrest and Emerald Bay Estates communities have made it a sought-after residential enclave. “People here are looking to get out of the city but not abandon its convenience,” says Jack Silvers, the owner-broker of River City Realty, who has sold homes in Wichita for over 40 years. Residents enjoy easy access to Sedgwick County Park, the city’s largest green space, and the countless commercial options along West 21st Street, which are all less than a 5-mile drive away. “It’s also zoned for the highly rated Maize Unified School District, and that’s a massive draw,” says Silvers. Sidewalk-lined streets in Sandcrest and Emerald Bay Estates are dotted with young willow trees and homes costing between $700,000 and $2 million, a range higher than a Wichita home’s average $250,000 selling price. Sprawling contemporary estates have three-car garages and meticulously maintained 1-acre lots. Five-bedroom New Traditional dwellings often have boat docks on one of the area’s private, spring-fed lakes, where swimming and water skiing are also permitted. Waterfront homes may be more susceptible to flooding; however, the stone retaining walls help mitigate that risk. Both communities have clubhouses, offering pools and boat ramps for residents without docks. “There’s still development happening,” says Rivers. “People can buy half-acre lots or bigger, and custom build their house.” Empty lots typically start at $150,000 here. Sedgwick County Park borders Delano Township’s southern region, making its 400 acres easily accessible. A 4-mile sidewalk network surrounds the green space’s numerous lakes, like Tom Scott Lake, where anglers can catch bass off the dock. Dotted with totem poles, buffalo statues and limestone carvings, the winding art walk showcases Kansas culture. “The park is probably most visited for the Sedwick County Zoo,” says Silvers. “They have camps for kids and concerts for adults every Tuesday night during the summer.” There are also numerous athletic complexes, from softball diamonds to the rollerblade hockey rink. Knights and dragons visit the park every spring for the annual Great Plains Renaissance Festival, and bagpipers and kilt-wearing Irishmen flock to the area in the fall for the Highland Games and Celtic Festival. Children here are in the Maize Unified District, where every school has an A-minus grade on Niche. They may attend Maize South Elementary until fourth grade, continuing to Maize South Intermediate for fifth through sixth and Maize South Middle up to eighth grade. Lastly, students can go to Maize South High School, where they have the option to take around 80 classes for college credit, thanks to partnerships with Wichita State University and Newman University. Courses include medical terminology, aviation and introduction to teaching. Residents have to drive for commercial options, but West 21st Street spans the area’s southern region, and it's covered in restaurants and shopping centers. Just 2 miles away, 6S is a swanky steakhouse serving locally sourced cuts and imported wine by the bottle. For a more casual setting, Mexico Viejo is a family owned spot in the same area known for frozen margaritas and cultural classics. Across the street, over 100 vendors cover the parking lot of the Sedgwick County Park Education Center for the Kansas Grown Farmers Market every Saturday from April through October. Year-round groceries are 5 miles away at the Dillons Marketplace, Walmart Supercenter and Target in the NewMarket Square, Wichita’s largest open-air shopping center. Other retailers here include Lowe’s Home Improvement and Academy Sports. Though the area has no public transportation options and sidewalks are primarily for residents enjoying a leisurely stroll or walking to the clubhouse, Delano Township is convenient for drivers. Interstate 235 is about 2 miles east, and another 8-mile drive leads to Wichita’s Old Town entertainment district. The Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport is 11 miles south via the highway, and Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa is the closest hospital, just 8 miles away on West 21st Street.