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Prairie Crossing (Grayslake, IL) means High Performance Homes and Human-Scale Living. Today I'm going to tell you about our client, a novelist, who completed her current best-seller while sequestered in the master bedroom closet at her home (pictured just to your left) at Prairie Crossing. ("High-Performance of another kind.)
Prairie Crossing is a conservation community in Lake County just outside the "Windy City", Chicago, Illinois. And, judging from our client, you might find some pretty interesting and eco-wise neighbors there. And too, you could be delighted to discover a very much in demand high-performance home, like that you see to your left, in a neighborhood geared for human-scale living.
(And don't forget those uncommon writer's-closet retreat spaces . . . I'm smiling.).
Prairie Crossing's literature describes life in this community- ". . . people live in ways that are good for them and healthy for the land" there is room for building sustainable community. In fact, when I first visited the community's web site to better understand my client's needs as they relocated to our town, it informed me that , " Over 60 percent of the 677-acre site is protected open land that is actively used by people and wildlife. Ten miles of trails wind through a landscape of farm fields, pastures, lakes and ponds, native prairies and wetlands.
Residents use them to walk, run, bike, ski, ride horseback, I discovered. And if you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can " watch the many species of birds, butterflies and other wildlife that are attracted to a healthy ecosystem and native landscaping." In addition, Prairie Crossing is linked by regional trails to the Liberty Prairie Reserve, over 3,200 acres of legally protected land. The Reserve, is "an ongoing story of how people and institutions can work together to preserve precious open space for people and wildlife. . . it is listed as one of America's "Last Chance Landscapes" by Scenic America."
I asked our author, her husband and the boys if they would miss the innovations in planning and community design for which Prairie Crossing is known, now that the family is moving? Would they miss the homes in her neighborhood that are "grounded in the history of the area" but also "designed for modern living utilizing "green" construction techniques?
Would they miss all of Prairie Crossing's amenities-
1) The renovated, century-old Byron Colby Barn for concerts, meetings and social events
2) The Prairie Crossing Farm to buy fresh organic vegetables, eggs honey and flowers.
3) Lake Aldo Leopold--swimming at the sandy beach, fishing, canoing, or sailing in summer . . .
4) The Prairie Crossing stable and adjoining pastures.
5) The Prairie Crossing Charter School, a public elementary school to which Prairie Crossing homeowners may apply, emphasizes citizenship and learning from experiences of the natural environment.
6) 10 miles of trails within the community and in the 5,800-acre Liberty Prairie Reserve.
7) The Prairie Crossing Stable and adjoining pastures.
I asked if she and the family would miss the cold, snowy, freezing, miserable, windy winters now that she and her family are moving to an incredible equestrian property in the glorious mountain town of Asheville, N.C. (see photo above) where the seasons are friendly, colorful and creative, and so are the people.
And she just smiled.
Epilogue: Be sure to let me know what you think about the eco-community, Prairie Crossing-- the neighborhood, the amenities for nature lovers and horse lovers and the high performance homes.
Use this link at Active Rain has to access a huge network of real estate professionals who can help you make your dreams come true.. . even if it's c o l d outside.
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Prairie Crossing sounds like a dream neighborhood to me. For anyone who wants their children to have a human-scale experience, I could imagine this place holds many answers. And Steph~ be sue to read her latest boo! She knows how to use amenities, for sure!
Hi janeAnne,
I'm not in competition for any of the places at Prairie Crossing. The preservation of the land and way of life is attractive, BUT I live by one main rule: I don't go anywhere that turns WHITE.
It barely rains in San Diego. It never snows. That's how I like it.
It was interesting to read about and I might like to visit there in the spring.
Bill Roberts
janeAnne, What a fabulous community. Awesome concept.. I love the charter school.I am with Bill though, have to be where it's warm and the Ocean is around the bend! Great post!
Ginger
JaneAnne - bookmarked! I love the community. I will forward this to a developer who has worked the past 5 years developing a wellness community to be in lower West Michigan. He may have already researched it but it warrants attention. You do a beautiful job describing it!
I don't think I could trade my seasons -- I just wish Michigan had more sun in the winter!!!
Bill~
Thanks for the humor and smile you brought us today. Your comment, " The preservation of the land and way of life is attractive, BUT I live by one main rule: I don't go anywhere that turns WHITE.. .. " may explain why our clients are moving to Asheville.
Ginger~
I like the idea of the ocean being "around the corner", too...As a matter of fact, it is just "around the corner" from us over here in Asheville...well, I guess that depends on how you define "around the corner, eh? Remember the mountains...the mystery...the adventure...horses on trails. .. and in Alpine Pastures...makes me wax poetic.
Mary~
I wonder what would happen if buyers had a choice of high-performance homes and healthy living spaces like this community. What if there were affordable homes, eco-wise planning and sustainable communities?... More and more buyers are demanding quality of life in their environment. LEED certified buildings(providing healthy indoor air quality) are already what IS being built for workplace...now those workers are telling us it's time for the same quality at Home.
Janie~
As a specialist in Horse Properties, you may know just the "right" person who is being transferred from Sunny Florida to CHICAGO and would love to make Prairie Crossing Home. Let me know if you do...OK?
Mary~
This is about perception. Taking time to consider quality of life issues. Understanding the added-value that "green" building and high-performance homes provide in the short run and in the long run (resale) as well. I am wondering if you have nay suggestions for financing on a home such as the one pictured here.
Susan~
It is exciting to think that families can-offer the advantages of such a community as Prairie Crossing...the stables, the gardens, the trails for walking and horseback riding...and the wonderful high-performance homes!
JaneAnne -
I just stumbled across your website, and loved reading your post about Prairie Crossing. My family has been involved with the community's development for over 15 years, and I'm frequently amazed to learn how far word of the project has travelled.
We are now working on the latest phase of Prairie Crossing; a mixed-use neighborhood of shops, offices and condominiums clustered around our Metra commuter rail station. The condominiums themselves are among the highest-rated Energy Star residences in our region (5-star plus!) and have been very well received. We're finding a whole new market among people who value the protected open land and healthy lifestyle, but prefer a lower-maintenance option than a single family home. We're even talking to one or two snowbirds who, like your posters above, may not want to stick it out through a long Chicago winter!
I hope you'll stop by for a visit if you're ever in our area. Keep up the good blogging!
Ben~
I heard about Prairie Crossing from my clients who just relocated to Asheville and was so impressed, I just had to post about this concept and the unfolding of the idea into reality. Often I speak to my clients who are moving to our area here in North Carolina and are interested in creating eco developments about Prairie Crossing...I see this as a fine example of the expression of an art form in the medium of pure potential. THANKS so much for your-part in making it happen.