Round Lake

The term “community association” usually doesn’t evoke fierce protection and preservation of natural areas—but that’s the exact mission of the Valley Lakes Community Association, the nonprofit governing body for this Lake County neighborhood. A well-trimmed community of detached homes and townhouses, Valley Lakes was established in 1996 with a specific vision: a planned community coexisting with over 300 acres of wetland habitats. Perennial flower beds, detention ponds and athletic fields occupy the same space as undisturbed nature, and with the award-winning Round Lake Area Park District serving the community, residents have many options for spending the day outdoors. The stately white gazebo alerts neighbors to their arrival at Heron View Park, which is popular for its walking trails, playground and open spaces. In the southernmost portion of Valley Lakes is Meadowview Park, a 9-acre site with athletic fields and a basketball court. “The neighborhood flanks the parks, so you come in on this beautiful drive into the subdivisions that have dead ends into parks,” says Dick Barr, Realtor with Village Realty and Lake County expert. Ducks, geese, deer and elk make their home without worry in the unpolluted wetlands surrounding the community, protected by strict community association guidelines promising fees for any resident caught polluting the grounds or feeding the animals. Residents are connected to nature by the mere fact that they’re in lake country. “One of the big reasons to move is proximity to the Chain O’Lakes, the largest recreational waterway in the state,” says Barr. “There are a ton of huge lake boaters and water fans around here.” But even without heading 5 to 12 miles north to hit one of these waterfronts, the Round Lake Area Park District has them covered. Nippersink Forest Preserve, less than two miles away, offers lake-side activities like fishing at the 300-acre site, which encompasses woodlands, wetlands, trails, and scenic overlooks. Heading 2.5 miles east into Round Lake Beach leads to even more enjoyable parks.Rolek Community Center features a gym, a senior center, a dance studio and a children's museum. Right next door is the Round Lake Area Aquatic Center, home of Hector the giant blue heron, who dumps his bucket of water on eager splash pad visitors looking to beat the heat. Lakefront Park is the beachfront access point for kayaking and pontoon boating. "Connecting with our dog and our kids on the Lake County Forest Preserve Millenium Trail is one of my fondest memories,” adds Heather Bautista, a Realtor with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago who lived in Valley Lakes for over a decade. “We would 'go down to the creek' and see if we could spot any wildlife and toss pebbles into the water.” Kids are zoned for Big Hollow Primary School, which serves prekindergarten through first grade and scores a B-minus from Niche. They then head down the hall to Big Hollow Elementary School, which is within the same building and earns a B, for second through fourth grades. Big Hollow Middle School sits across the street and receives a B-minus, while Grant Community High School in nearby Fox Lake earns a B-plus. Tennis, soccer and volleyball are just a few of the coed sports that Grant Bulldogs take part in. Other fun competitions include a dance-off hosted by the dance team and culinary challenges where classmates taking Food I and Food II compete over flavor and presentation for a Golden Spoon victory. The Round Lake Area Park District was named one of the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ 2023 Best of the Best, thanks to its partnership with the Huebner Fishery Management Foundation. The district uses funds from the partnership for its Family Fishing Event, an annual affair where free pontoon boat rides give anglers of all ages the chance to reel in a catch. These boats also dot the blue during the summerlong El Mercadito Farmers Market RLB, which takes place on the shores of Lakefront Park. The 16 detached home subdivisions in Valley Lakes were built from the 1990s through the mid-2000s, with two to five bedrooms, prominent two-car garages and New Traditional and Colonial influences. Homes on the outskirts of the neighborhood back right up to forested areas and wetlands, though trim and tidy yards, statement trees, landscaped parks and detention ponds surrounded by reeds are the most common throughout the community. Open floor plans and double-pitched roofs are common features. All homeowners belong to the Valley Lakes Community Association, while the townhouse subdivisions, Nature's Cove Townhome Association and Remington Trails Townhome Association, each have their own bylaws. Prices for single-family homes range from about $300,000 to $400,000; townhouses trend lower, from about $225,000 to $275,000. Bautista touts the success of the real estate market here. "Homes hold their value, and families are always ready to buy in this area," she says. “Sellers have no trouble getting their homes sold.” Valley Lakes lies “smack dab” between multiple dining and shopping options, according to Barr. “Most are gonna hit the Route 12 corridor, there’s some fine options there,” he says, referring to big-box stores like ALDI and Home Depot, along with chain restaurants like Wendy’s and Subway. “But for the most robust options they head a little east to Round Lake Beach for the Meijer, Walmart, Jewel, and more dining and theater choices.” Tacos El Norte may be easy to miss, as it’s tucked into the corner between these larger stores at the Rollins Crossing shopping center. This branch of the 27-location northern suburbs chain pairs hearty servings with affirmations scrawled onto whiteboards throughout the cozy establishment. Though Round Lake Beach's former Regal Cinema was set ablaze, developers are now in talks to turn the space into a full-fledged entertainment center, according to the Daily Herald. Despite the arson case, the area typically sees few crimes, with the CAP Index giving it a below-average Crime Score of 2 out of 10. For now, residents head 5.5 miles north to Fox Lake to see a movie at Classic Cinemas Fox Lake Theatre. On the way back they may make a pit stop at Miller's Dog n Suds, where the suds are served straight from the soda fountain, and the dogs are of the 100% beef-on-a-bun variety. Two Metra stations sit less than 3 miles away from Valley Lakes: one in Long Lake, and one in Round Lake. Both include plenty of parking for commuters on the Milwaukee District North line to downtown Chicago. "That line runs seven days a week, so it’s also easy for families who are catching a show or hitting Navy Pier,” Barr says. U.S. Route 12 is the main drag to Fox Lake and the Chain O'Lakes for those looking to hit the water. Route 120 links up with Interstate 94, and drivers can continue south to Chicago, about 50 miles away, or north to Milwaukee for about 60 miles.

Remington Trails is a neighborhood tucked away in the Round Lake region. This intimate neighborhood is centrally located and surrounded by wildlife and wetlands. Also, commuting or spending a weekend in the city is a breeze as Remington Trails sits between Round Lake and Long Lake Metra Station. These stations provide daily services to Chicago’s Union Station.<br>“It’s all comprised of town houses, two ends and two centers,” Licensed Realtor at Keller Williams Success Realty Jennifer Beltrame says. “Most of them were built between 2000 and 2005.” These homes are ideal for first-time home buyers or those looking to downsize, as these homes contain around 1,700 sq ft. “They do all the landscaping and shoveling,” Beltrame says. “That part is perfect for those first-timers who aren’t as experienced with maintenance or downsizers who don’t want to have as much maintenance.” These spaces hold an average of two bedrooms and two bathrooms. “The first floor of the town houses is an open concept,” Beltrame says. “Most of them have a fireplace and a slider that walks out to a 10x10 patio space.” This neighborhood also contains some ranch-style properties, around 1,250 square feet. Remington Trails has seen a slight price bump; however, most homes will be priced between $200,000 and $250,000. <br>The neighborhood is well served, with outdoor recreation at their doorsteps. “You can get to many forests preserves in McHenry County, all the preserves in Lake County, and it sits south of the Chain O’ Lakes,” Beltrame says. Fairfield Park, located south, is where you’ll discover the Millennium Trail, which connects to other nearby forest preserves. This park is also home to highly rated disc golf courses. Hart Hill and Round Lake Skatepark are two other nearby facilities. Hart Hill houses a space for locals to play football, ice skating, soccer, sledding and volleyball. <br>Students can enter schools through the Round Lake Community School District, which holds a C- Niche Grade. Village Elementary School teaches students in grades one to five, and also carries a C- Niche Grade. There are several after-school clubs at the John T. Magee Middle School, including the National Junior Honor Society, Retro Gaming Club, and Environmental Club. Diplomas can be earned from Round Lake High School, which holds a B- Niche Grade. On top of their diverse academics, this school provides several programs aimed at finding the highest potential within students. <br>Folks needing a casual spot for a bite can walk a couple of blocks to Sammie’s, where they specialize in gourmet sandwiches and hotdogs. Otherwise, residents will have to drive about 15 to 20 minutes to reach a plethora of dining options. Eggspress Café is the go-to for breakfast and lunch options. Popular dishes here include the Southern Bell Skillet and French Toast. Folks with a sweet tooth can grab authentic Mexican pastries from La Luz Bakery or grab the refreshing ice cream at La Michoacana. Convenient items can be found within the neighborhood’s CVS Pharmacy. Grocery essentials can be grabbed from Mendoza Grocery, located on N Cedar Lake Rd.<br>The Robert Rolek Community Center serves as the headquarters of the park district. Additionally, it’s a community space that hosts several programs and activities throughout the year. Children can explore the ways of life at Children’s Neighborhood Museum. Children can imagine themselves in the real world by becoming a doctor, leading a classroom, or filling up gas. Volo Museum can be another all-day family adventure with its unlimited exhibits of automobile collections. Then, the space includes kid rides and an arcade area. Remington Trails is a hidden gem for those looking for outdoor activities and convenience.