Maple Park's slower pace and city proximity appeal to new residents
Founded in 1854, Maple Park is a small village just outside the city of DeKalb and home to around 1,400 residents. The village is anchored by a modest main street and is surrounded by stretching green fields, the lifestyle very laid-back. "It's much more rural outside of the city, and people move to villages like Maple Park for the quiet," says Elissa Jarke, a Realtor with Century 21 Circle who's lived in the DeKalb area for nearly two decades. She notes that communities like Maple Park are gaining popularity in the greater Chicago area, attracting new housing for those who don’t want to settle permanently where they work. "Living in the village areas is generally cheaper, and people commute into DeKalb, Aurora or Chicago. So it's nice to come home and you've got this little community and it's all calm."
Vintage styles, large New Traditional homes and modern townhouses
Near the village's center, on the blocks around Main Street, are the community's oldest homes, dating between the early to mid-20th century. Architecture is diverse, from sprawling ranch-style properties, classic Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals. As Maple Park has gained popularity for its spot outside DeKalb, builders have found opportunity on the village's outskirts. "There's a good bit of new construction happening in Maple Park and villages close to DeKalb, so the market is good right now," Jarke says. "It stays pretty steady in general." Vintage, renovated housing and townhouses sell between $200,000 and $350,000, while large New Traditional properties sell for $350,000 to $450,000. Maple Park’s CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Small pocket parks and water activities on the Kishwaukee River
The village has several small pocket parks spread out around the area, from the playground at McAdams Park near the community's center to the open green space and picnic table at Lions Park near the north side. "There's an amazing paved path in DeKalb that runs through the entire city. I know a lot of people will go out of their way to head over there," Jarke says, referencing the DeKalb Nature Trail. "Also, the Kishwaukee River is great for kayaking and fishing. There's no entrance point in Maple Park, but you can drive 10 minutes to Sycamore to get into the river."
Local kids attend B-rated Kaneland public schools
Kaneland Community Unit School District No. 302 serves the community, and children living in Maple Park are zoned to attend Kaneland John Stewart Elementary School. Students move on to Kaneland Harter Middle before heading to Kaneland High. All three schools receive B ratings from Niche. According to the Illinois Report Card, Kaneland High is categorized as a Commendable School, one that has no underperforming student groups and currently has a graduation rate of 90%.
Independent businesses on Main Street and errand runs to DeKalb
While Maple Park has no shopping plazas, residents are only 10 miles away from the large retail areas on DeKalb's north side, less than a 15-minute drive. "DeKalb acts as a hub for a lot of these small villages. They have basically everything you could need. Big stores like Walmart, grocery stores, you name it," Jarke says. The village has a small cluster of locally owned businesses on Main Street, from a beauty salon to a couple of boutiques. The Pub, which has taken on several different names since it opened its doors in the late 19th century as a small-town bar, is now a local favorite for its traditional American fare, beer on tap and live music out on the patio.
Major routes for commuters and proximity to medical care
Malta is intersected by Route 38, an 88-mile-long east-west highway, and Interstate 88. Residents can take either route close to the heart of Chicago, 60 miles east, before they connect to other major city interstates. "Traffic gets very congested in DeKalb," Jarke says. "You don't have to fight the other cars as much in Maple Park." While the area has smaller regional airports, many residents will drive the 54 miles it takes to get to the Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The closest medical plaza, anchored by the Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, is 10 miles northwest in DeKalb.
