Plainfield

Grande Park is in Plainfield, Illinois, about 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. Cory Clarke, a resident since 2017, says, "It's probably the number one spot in the Fox Valley and Chicago's southwestern suburbs." The community features large, custom homes built in phases, starting in the early 2000s. "It's a subdivision with a lot of neighborhoods or sub-neighborhoods within it," Clarke, who lives in Sage Knoll, says. At the core of the neighborhood clusters is a huge park, an aquatic center, clubhouse, and various sports and leisure amenities. The community is divided by a major street, Ridge Road. "Half of the neighborhood is on the park side, and half is on the school side." The Grande Park Homeowners Association had its first member board elected in 2022, taking the place of development management companies. Home styles are cohesive while being uniquely customized by different builders. Common exterior finishes are siding, brick or a mix. They all come with an attached multi-car garage. "It's getting bigger and more expensive. They've been building a lot of new construction," Dan Gleason, real estate broker at the Bremer Team - Keller Williams Success Realty, says. He's been in sales for over 20 years. Typical home values range from about $510,000 to $660,000. Clarke says it took three years to get a home here. "It's very sought-after, and the community is kept up very well." As Grande Park was being developed, the plan called for an elementary and middle school campus to be built in a central location. "It's walkable from most homes," Clarke says. "But all the kids ride their bikes." Grande Park Elementary, graded B-plus by Niche, opened in 2007. Murphy Junior High opened in 2009 and has an A-minus grade. It's named for Oswego native Robinson Barr Murphy, the youngest man to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Clarke says most students move on to Oswego East High. It's been graded A by Niche and listed as the best public high school in Kendall County. Some kids living on the park side go to Plainfield North, also graded A, and No. 6 in Will County. There are various parks within the subdivision, but located in the center of it all, Community Park is the largest, at 83 acres. There are courts and fields for a wide selection of sports, a lake for fishing, a sledding hill and a playground. Plainfield has historic downtown's Settlers' Park, complete with a lighted walking path along the DuPage River. Mather Woods offers 2 miles of trails and access to the river while Lake Renwick Preserve is over 800 acres. Clarke says the community brings the wow factor with some of its events. "Halloween is fun because everyone is out together. And Christmas is fantastic because everyone decorates the parkway with lights. It looks amazing." Community Park hosts 5Ks including the Ruff Run with a 1-mile Doggy Dash and Run the Crossroads, which had its inaugural run in 2023. Nearby events include Plainfield's Hometown Irish Parade and Cruise Nights with classic cars. In Oswego, there's the Wine on the Fox festival, Venue 1012's summer series and Oswego Country Market on Sundays from June through September. A drive of at least a few miles is required for necessities or a shopping whim. Some shops and eateries are about 4 miles east along U.S. Route 30. Backroads Burger & Bar serves saucy and savory classics, plus original creations. "We've been a neighborhood staple ever since opening," owner/operator Dave Harris says. "We're always happy to host you, morning, noon or night — after all, 'everything's better on the backroads.'" In the same shopping center, Fat Ricky's has old-world-style pizza covered: cheese choices including cheddar, gorgonzola and fresh mozzarella, of course. For those looking to de-stress with some arm exercise, there's Axe Factor Throwing. About a mile east past Route 30, an assortment of businesses and stores include Jewel-Osco and Meijer for groceries and Menards for home improvement goods. Significant roadways in proximity include Interstate 55, U.S. Route 30 and State route 126. It's about 40 minutes to O'Hare International Airport or to downtown Chicago. For those who prefer to avoid driving long distances, Pace Suburban Bus Company offers weekday service from Plainfield to Chicago on routes 755 and 855 from the Plainfield Park-n-Ride, which is about 5 miles from Grande Park and provides free parking. Pace also facilitates vanpooling arrangements for those living or working in Will County and the surrounding counties.

With homes built in the past 25 years, North Plainfield is about 40 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. “Overall, Plainfield is a peaceful place to live,” says LaNita Cates, a Realtor with HomeSmart with nearly 20 years of real estate experience. Nature is everywhere, and they have a small farmers market during the warm weather.” North Plainfield comprises several subdivisions with homes built close to one another and aspects of the neighborhood with undeveloped land. No matter in which subdivision you live, there’s probably a park nearby. “I live in the Dunmoor Estates subdivision, which is close to Northwest Community Park, which has a playground and open green space,” says Jackie Rogers, a Realtor with Keller Williams Infinity with nearly 30 years of experience. Northwest Community Park has changed its name to Tamarac Settlement Park. The subdivision of Grande Park has an outdoor aquatics center at the back of the subdivision’s clubhouse, which has a main room, a kitchen and a multi-purpose area. The pool has a large, main area that is good for lane swimming, a smaller pool and an even smaller kiddie pool. The attached Community Park at Grande Park has over 80 acres, a reservable picnic shelter with 13 tables, two tennis courts, a fishing retention lake and a playground. Another park is available for our four-legged friends. Daisy Dog Park has a small parking area off 135th Street and a latched gate where dogs can run, play and socialize. That is close to the Walker’s Grove subdivision. Eaton Preserve is not part of a subdivision. It’s on the DuPage River and used to be a farm site. There are still some farm buildings remaining. Amenities in the park include a boat launch, fishing and a volleyball court. If the weather’s nice on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer, people could enjoy the DuPage River on an inner tube. Plainfield River Tubing is a short drive to the south. Reservations are required. The tubing season runs from Memorial Day to just after Labor Day. Public schools in the Plainfield School District Number 202 are where kids in the area might attend classes. The district is rated an A-minus on Niche. Eagle Pointe Elementary School is rated a B-plus and has a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Eagle Pointe has an active parent-teacher organization that puts together fundraising events throughout the year, like a family carnival and a fifth-grade celebration. Heritage Grove Middle School is rated an A-minus. Plainfield North High School is rated an A on Niche and has a 96% graduation rate. The school has many organizations, like debate club and rock climbing. The 1990s are most of the older homes in North Plainfield. The price ranges from $500,000 to $800,000, with some newer construction houses close to $850,000. Many were custom-built with contemporary Craftsman, Cape Cod and split-level designs. Townhouses have three bedrooms, about a $350 monthly maintenance fee and are priced between $400,000 and $500,000. The square footage of single-family homes is between 2,000 and 4,000, and the houses can have up to five bedrooms. Since many single-family homes are in subdivisions, a monthly fee usually totals less than $100. Backroads Burger & Bar is on Lincoln Highway, a main north/south thoroughfare. It’s the place to catch Chicago sports teams or any other major sporting event. The inside is spacious with plenty of TVs. A meal can be enjoyed in the fresh air with plenty of outdoor seating. Bar Bingo is held every Tuesday, and Singo, a song identification version of bingo, is held every Wednesday night. Both start at 6:30 p.m. Steve Buresh’s Cheesecake Store & Sandwich Shop has been a fixture for ten years. The unique aspect of this business is that they put the cheesecake in mason jars, making it easy to transport. They have gluten-free and sugar-free options. Turtle, key lime and maple bacon are popular flavors. Jewel-Osco and Meijer are catty-corner from one another at the intersection of 135th and Division. The Pace bus line that serves Will County has only one stop in the Plainfield Area. That’s at the Plainfield Park-n-Ride off Van Dyke Road south of 143rd Street. The nearest Metra commuter rail station is 10 miles to the north in Naperville or 10 miles east in Lockport. Because of the limited options, the neighborhood’s residents are car-dependent.

Sprawling on the western fringes of the city, West Plainfield is largely comprised of residential subdivisions with the DuPage River meandering along its eastern boundary. With rural and suburban landscapes largely making up its visual appeal, the neighborhood is just south of Plainfield proper. “The vibrant downtown scene of Plainfield mirrors the charm and allure of the historic Route 66 towns of yesteryear,” says Bree Patterson-Wuest, Event Coordinator for the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce. “There are amazing restaurants, two breweries and a winery, and the area is easily walkable after parking.” Many of the homes in West Plainfield are situated in subdivisions, with the majority having been constructed from 2000-onward. Within these subdivisions, some houses are located around central ponds, some with fountains spraying skyward, and styles vary. Large, custom-built modern homes with siding or brick exteriors are among the most common residences here, while other architectural designs include some older ranch homes, Colonial influences and traditional styles. Prices typically range from $400,000 to $700,000, while townhouses here are usually under $300,000. Students in West Plainfield can begin at Lincoln Elementary School, which is the site of kindergarten through fifth grade and receives an A-minus from Niche. Richard Ira Jones Middle School follows, scoring a B-plus with Niche, and Plainfield North High School completes the curriculum. Plainfield North High garners an A rating from Niche, ranking in the top 100 high schools statewide and offering athletics like volleyball, tennis and dance. One of West Plainfield’s most unique attractions when it comes to getting outside is the Plainfield StoryWalk, a concept spanning parks across the country but located in Settlers Park here. Along with the park’s playground, tennis courts, baseball field and Richard A. Rock Amphitheater, the StoryWalk provides kids with the unique opportunity to read a story with pages scattered down its lit paths. Creekside North Park and North Point Park are also in West Plainfield, but the most significant green space here is Mather Woods. Unfolding over 67 acres, the park runs along the river’s curved banks and has picnic areas, trails and more. Just east, the Gregory B. Bott Community Skate Park gives area residents a place to channel their inner X Games, and farther east, the Lake Renwick Preserve stretches nearly 1,000 acres with opportunities to fish, bike and view wildlife. Southern Belle’s is one of the most popular local spots in the West Plainfield area, offering breakfast and lunch from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. along with pickup, delivery and catering options. Fuse’d sits close to Settlers Park, the DuPage River and Southern Belle’s, scheduled to open in April 2024 with an international menu. Aurelio’s Pizza of Plainfield and Steve Buresh’s Cheesecake Store and Sandwich Shop are located around the middle of West Plainfield’s northern boundary. Groceries can be found at Aldi or Jewel-Osco, situated north of the neighborhood in and near the Berkshire Place shopping mall. Both Southern Belle’s and Fuse’d are located on Lockport Street, also known as Illinois Route 126. Minutes away from both restaurants, a short drive across the DuPage River, lies downtown Plainfield. With a selection of boutique shops, bars and restaurants, it’s a perfect place for a day on the town. From Next Whiskey Bar Plainfield, taking its name from the Doors’ iconic “Alabama Song,” to the Sovereign gastropub, the downtown area has plenty of variety to offer. Other establishments here include Station One Smokehouse and its barbecue offerings, the family-owned Tischler’s Market and the Wandering Dragon Puzzle & Game Shop. Area residents can also work off some energy at the C.W. Avery Family YMCA or stop in at the Plainfield Area Public Library, respectively located on the west and east sides of the river. Illinois Route 126 bisects West Plainfield, running east-to-west and linking the area with Yorkville close to Oswego, though motorists can also jump on Interstate 55 at the eastern end just beyond Plainfield. I-55 runs all the way from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico. Route 59 runs north-to-south and only briefly crosses into West Plainfield, spanning over 70 miles of Illinois west of Chicago. The downtown area of the Windy City is about an hour to the northeast, roughly 40 miles away.

The village of Plainfield is situated about 35 miles southwest of downtown Chicago and has a population of nearly 45,000 people. East Plainfield is a thriving suburban community that offers a combination of small-town charm and convenient access to the amenities and opportunities of the greater Chicago area.<br><br>“The downtown area is really nice, and they host weekly events in the summer,” says Michell Lukasik, broker with RE/MAX Professionals. “Residents love the small-town feel and that they’re not far from Chicago and nearby suburbs.”<br><br>Home prices in East Plainfield range from $270,000 to $850,000, and you’ll find a mix of starter homes, mid-level homes and end homes. For $270,000, you can get a two-bed, one-bath ranch-style home with a large front yard and front patio deck, on a quiet, tree-lined street. For $525,000, you could potentially land a four-bed, three-bath custom home, built in 2002, in the Spangler’s Farm subdivision, with an attached three-car garage. In fact, the homes in Spangler’s Farm are a short drive from Lake Renwick Preserve. If you appreciate your space, for $850,000, you can get an eight-bed, five-bath, all-brick custom home, built in 2008, with a three-car garage. Additionally, most homes in East Plainfield feature front and back yards on quiet residential streets.<br><br>While several pocket parks are spread throughout East Plainfield, the largest outdoor attraction is Lake Renwick Preserve. The 839-acre preserve protects a 200-acre wide lake, with associated wetlands, and has several trails for hiking and biking in the summer, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The preserve is home to nesting herons, egrets and cormorants. When nesting season ends, you can spot bald eagles, American white pelicans and hundreds of winter waterfowl. The preserve is also home to various plant species, including large-leaved pondweed and water stargrass. Due to the sensitivity of the site’s natural resources, dogs are not allowed in the preserve. Just southwest of Plainfield Central High School is Gregory B Bott Park, which has 58 acres of sports fields, concessions, restrooms, trails and a skate park.<br><br>Plainfield Central High School was ranked the eighth-best public high school in Will County, according to Niche, and received an A-minus grade. The school offers a wide variety of academic, athletic and fine arts activities along with a variety of clubs and service opportunities that provide students with multiple avenues to explore their interests and talents and enhance their leadership skills. Popular clubs include gardening, French Culture and Esports. Central Elementary School is just to the southeast and is an above-average public school, according to Niche. The school aims to inspire students to strive for a deeper understanding of concepts by nurturing their curiosity, creativity and critical thinking skills. St. Mary Immaculate Parish School is a private K-8 school, offering a faith-based education for students.<br><br>For everyday grocery shopping, you’ll have to drive south down Old Route 66 to find Jewel-Osco, ALDI and Tony’s Fresh Market. Tischler’s Market is a family-owned and operated meat market and deli, serving the neighborhood since 2004. The market offers all-natural meats, choice and prime steaks, fresh fish and seafood and top-quality deli meats and cheeses. When you’d rather eat out, there are several restaurants to check out in the cute little downtown area, just off of Lockport Street. Moe Joe’s is a New Orleans-themed restaurant serving up Cajun-Caribbean dishes with a horseshoe bar. Make sure to order their famous corn-crusted alligator tail. HopScotch & Vine is a cozy, upscale restaurant that features a broad New American menu, cocktails, wine and seasonal outdoor seating. Try the peanut butter and jelly stuffed hamburger if you're feeling adventurous.<br><br>With its cute downtown area, local shops and restaurants, great schools and various parks, East Plainfield has something for everyone.