HomeTown Buyers Enjoy Award-Winning Parks...
For Release: 3/14/2007 12:02:02 PM
The lush, state-of-the-art parks are some of the most inviting surprises new home shoppers experience when they first visit HomeTown Aurora - and prices are another.
The single-family homes range in price from the $160,000s to the $250,000s. The 2-5 bedroom, 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 bath homes with 1,168 to 2,437 square feet all have attached garages. The contemporary 2-3 bedroom, 2-3 bath Loft homes, which surround the Town Center, start in the low $200s.
Two parks at HomeTown Aurora have received accolades from landscape architects and won the Public Recognition Award from their trade group.
Ravine Park, a lush botanical paradise and one of the most stunning parks in the area, is the development's crown jewel. Its two acres offer both interactive fun and contemplative space for the community, which is focused on recreating the warm atmosphere of small-town America.
The park was a level field before contractors dug eight feet into the earth to create the ravine, which rolls into in a flagstone-walled creek and small pond with a waterfall. Large stepping-stones lead to the water, creating a shore that is both aesthetic and safe, where children (and adults) can sail toy boats and skip stones on hot summer days.
A sturdy path, made of recycled materials, meanders through leafy vegetation and under large shade trees-winding its way through the entire park
From several comfortable park benches, residents can read books, watch children play, or enjoy the sunshine and take in the serenity.
"We wanted people to be able to explore in the park, to have ah-ha moments," said Mark Underwood, a project designer and senior associate at Hitchcock Design Group. "The people at Bigelow created Ravine Park out of the goodness of their hearts. Instead of just making something out of turf and trees and calling it a day, they decided to make something really special."
"It was just a leftover open space," said Rick Hitchcock, president of Hitchcock Design Group. "Now it's the kind of improvement you'd see in high-end developments."
Town Center Park, the other showcase park in the development, is a play area and gathering spot. At the west end, there is a large resin polar bear wearing a tropical shirt, encouraging children to swing and jump on the brightly colored equipment. A stately white-pillared gazebo with elegant steps anchors the center. An interactive fountain invites children to get wet on hot summer days, while a small amphitheater and open festival area encourage the spirit of community that has been key to HomeTown Aurora's success.
There are 10 other beautiful neighborhood parks in the development.
Last year HomeTown Aurora received one of the state's most prestigious landscaping awards for these two spectacular parks. The award recognizes the commitment to quality, user-friendly landscape design by HomeTown developer Perry Bigelow.
"The award is about more than the actual landscaping," Hitchcock explained. "It's the fact that these two parks exist at all. Other builders spend a lot of money on the entrance and things like that, but Perry spent close to $1 million making fabulous spaces for the residents to use."
The Public Recognition Award is given out annually by the Illinois Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects and honors members of the community who have promoted, enhanced, or strengthened the public awareness and perception of landscape architecture in the state.
In receiving the award, Bigelow is in good company. Previous winners include Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, who won for Millennium Park.
Bigelow's care in creating HomeTown extends way beyond the parks. Its palpable feeling of community is encouraged by front porches; white picket fences; six-foot wide sidewalks; streets designed to slow traffic; and inviting destinations within walking distance-examples are the Town Center, the HomeTown Café and general store, a post office, church, and a full complement of stores and offices.
The single-family homes feature front porches, large eat-in kitchens, high-quality oak kitchen cabinets and laminate countertops, built-in kitchen pantries, General Electric kitchen appliances, king-sized bathroom mirrors and cultured marble vanities, and luxury carpets with 10-year stain resistant warranties. There are 13 floor plans to choose from.
The Loft Homes have an urban flair and features found in much higher-priced homes such as finished concrete floors, gourmet kitchens with granite island countertops, upgraded appliances, 10-foot ceilings, 3-sided gas fireplaces, exposed ductwork, curved walls, and other clever architectural features.
Furnished home models are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and noon to 6 p.m. Fridays. Furnished models of the Lofts are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays. Loft models are closed on Wednesdays. No appointment is necessary.
To reach HomeTown Aurora, take Route 59 to Ogden Avenue, west to Montgomery Road, then north one mile.
Those looking for more information on the single-family homes at HomeTown Aurora can call 866-405-7337; and 888-322-0930 for The Lofts at HomeTown.