Nearby development hasn’t changed Grandwood Park’s tranquil charm
Grandwood Park stays grounded and slow-paced while the cities and neighborhoods around it rapidly expand. "It has a small-town feeling, where you know your neighbors, your neighbors know your kids and people do favors for one another," says Leslie Cassidy, manager of Grandwood's park district and a resident for 30 years. The census-designated place in Warren Township is not officially a part of Gurnee. Still, the suburban extension has all the perks of the village next door without the same traffic and noise. "When my husband and I first moved here from Chicago, we were attracted to the quiet," Cassidy says. "The area has changed a lot since then, with lots of new housing, but Grandwood Park is still nice and peaceful."
Tower Park includes the Grandwood Park water tower.
Lake Park includes a large grass field with a gazebo.
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Tree-lined sidewalks and ponds border diverse housing options
Apart from a few businesses on Grand Avenue, Grandwood Park is entirely residential, with winding roads that end in cul-de-sacs. Sidewalks shaded by planted trees wrap around the area and connect behind homes to paved trails around small ponds. Ranch-style homes, split-levels and Cape Cods are the oldest styles, ranging between $170,000 and $400,000. "Many of our homes were built in the 1960s," Cassidy says. "So, they're older than most in the immediate area, but they're made well and more affordable than in other Lake County communities." Modern Craftsman and New Traditional homes, including a few with up to 5,000 square feet of living space, sell for $370,000 to $790,000. Condos and townhouses built in the late '90s and early 2000s cost $220,000 to $310,000. HOA fees are standard and go towards maintaining the area's curb appeal.
Visitors relax by the calm waters of Grandwood Lake in Lake Park.
Wide sidewalks run alongside homes throughout Grandwood Park’s peaceful neighborhoods.
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Students attend schools with high marks and big class sizes
Children living in Grandwood Park attend either Woodland Community Consolidated School District or Millburn Community Consolidated School District until eighth grade. The two districts lead into Warren Township High School, rated A by Niche. "Both my girls went through Woodland schools and then Warren for high school, and they did very well," Cassidy says. "The districts are huge though. Each class is very big, so they separate the grades across more schools." Woodland School District has a four-school pipeline and earns an overall B-plus by Niche. Millburn School District earns an A-minus and has two schools. Warren Township High School has two campuses to separate the younger and older grades. It offers over 80 sports, clubs and afterschool programs.
Warren Township High School – Almond Campus serves students from Grandwood Park.
Millburn Elementary serves families living near Grandwood Park with early education programs.
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A massive mall and big-box stores anchor the retail scene
"We're a small subdivision, so we don't have much ourselves in terms of parks and shopping," Cassidy says. "But we're close to some other places that do." The Backyard Steak Pit is a steakhouse and seafood restaurant that cooks veggies and proteins over a large charcoal pit. Retail shopping is just next door to the community, at Gurnee Mills. The shopping mall, which has department stores, a movie theater, indoor recreation spaces and chain restaurants, is one of the largest shopping malls in the state. "It's so nice to have the mall right next to us," Cassidy says. "When my husband and I first moved here 30 years ago, there was nothing nearby. We had to drive an hour to the nearest department store." Plazas with Target, Walmart and Menards share the intersection of Grand Avenue and Hunt Club Road.
Gurnee Mills is a popular shopping destination for residents of many neighboring cities.
Fairgrounds residents have access to large retailers including Marshalls and HomeGoods.
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From quiet ponds to a major theme park, outdoor fun is close
Small green spaces, like Far Park and Deer Path Park, have pond views and playgrounds. Lake Park adds tennis and basketball courts, and Grandwood Lake has a diverse population of freshwater fish, including bass, pike, walleye, perch and bluegill. Local soccer and rugby teams practice at Hutchins Athletic Field, where Grandwood Park Park District holds its Fall Fest. "There are children's activities, food trucks and fireworks free for the community," Cassidy says. Six Flags Great America, an amusement park that attracts almost 3 million visitors annually, is less than three miles southeast of the community. "It's nice to nearby as an option, but it's far enough away from us that it's not a headache or a bother," Cassidy says.
Visitors relax by the calm waters of Grandwood Lake in Lake Park.
Grandwood Park residents have nearby access to Six Flags Great America.
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Grand Avenue buses and nearby highways support regional travel
U.S. Route 45 and Illinois State Highway 132 meet at the neighborhood's southwestern corner, and Pace buses stop along Grand Avenue. Interstate 94 is a short drive east and heads about 46 miles to Chicago and 50 miles to Milwaukee. "We still have some people who commute to the two cities, but I'd say most people work more locally," Cassidy says. Chicago O'Hare International Airport is about 33 miles south. Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville is a major hospital, about 10 miles away.
Buses in Grandwood Park offer easy access for commuters across the community.
Residents of Grandwood Park can travel the world from O'Hare International Airport.
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Written By
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Video By
Lucas Dyke
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