Island Lake, IL - (June 19, 2007) - When it comes to living in a home that truly allows its owners to commune with nature on a daily basis, Walnut Glen in northwest suburban Island Lake fits the bill as no other single-family community in Chicagoland can.  This Residential Homes of America, Inc. (RHA) luxury neighborhood is a peninsula within the Black Crown Forest Preserve, a 134-acre tract of mature trees and natural beauty that wraps around the community along its northern border.  Walnut Glen has been planned for 222 luxury single-family homes on one-quarter acre home sites, with prices starting at $296,990.  Five beautifully decorated and fully furnished models are open for tours everyday.

“The Black Crown Forest Preserve was recently acquired by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Lake County Forest Preserve District and forms the north border of the Walnut Glen neighborhood,” said Ann Danner, president and

owner of Residential Homes of America, Inc.  “When we laid out this community, we did so with respect and preservation in mind, so the great natural beauty of Black Crown would remain intact for the enjoyment of all the residents.”

At Walnut Glen, the neighborhood’s gently winding streets give the community a relaxed feel that is enhanced by the cul-de-sacs, pocket parks and water features that are also part of the landscape.

The Black Crown Forest Preserve is combined with the Moraine Hills State Park to the northwest of Walnut Glen, making a total of over 3,000 acres of forest preserve land.  This rich natural beauty has been a big reason so many buyers have chosen Walnut Glen, as they desire to live in a new home community that has the look and feel of an established neighborhood with mature trees and abundant amounts of preserved greenery.

“We also took great care in planning how Walnut Glen would meet up to the borders of Black Crown, because we wanted to take full advantage of the existing natural contours of the terrain and preserve all of its environmentally sensitive areas.  We have included two recreational park areas and a tot lot within the community, so residents will never be more than a few steps from the lush green spaces,” Danner said.  “Another attractive feature of living at this community is the provisions we have made to extend the Lake County Forest Preserve’s Millennium Trail through Walnut Glen and have it connect to the McHenry County Illinois Trail System.  Once complete, this trail will extend from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River.”

With the convenience of the Millennium Trail in the neighborhood, buyers who enjoy biking, hiking and rollerblading will love the easy access to the trail from within

Walnut Glen.  Buyers have expressed their excitement about living in a community that features such wonderful natural beauty, many of which have come from the immediately surrounding area, pleased to find new construction in a natural setting in the area they already live in.

Additional natural amenities within the Walnut Glen neighborhood are several ponds and preserved wetland areas.  The Black Crown Forest Preserve also is positioned adjacent to the 628-acre Black Crown Marsh, which is considered to be a significant wetland area and bird habitat.  Experts say there are at least nine threatened or endangered bird species that call the marsh their home.  

The Walnut Glen community also sits between two state parks, the Moraine Hills State Park and the Volo Bog State Nature Area, as well as being close to the Chain O’ Lakes State Park, the Lakewood and Fox River Forest Preserves and all their associated recreational amenities.  Simply put, living at Walnut Glen puts families in the middle of nature’s beauty every day of the year.

And while the natural setting of Walnut Glen offers residents a daily respite from the workaday world, the community is just minutes from shopping and transportation, so buyers who purchase a home at the community will truly have the best of both worlds, along with quality schools for their children.

Nearby roads include Routes 12, 59, 120 and 176, along with convenient access to Metra trains in McHenry on the Metra Union Pacific northwest line.  Highly rated schools include both the McHenry and Lake County School Districts.

The first deliveries have begun at Walnut Glen, which offers homebuyers nine great floor plans to choose from.  The homes are sized from 1,909 to 3,483 square feet. There are eight two-story plans, each with three to five bedrooms, 2-1/2 baths, full basements and attached two or three-car garages.  The one ranch plan features two to three bedrooms, two full baths, full basement and a two-car garage.  Prices begin at $296,990. 

Every home at Walnut Glen features a comprehensive list of included amenities, like 9’ first floor ceilings, full basements, hardwood or ceramic tile in the foyer and powder room, 42” kitchen cabinets, kitchen center islands or peninsulas (per plan), central air conditioning and a luxury master bedroom suite with one or more walk-in closets plus a private ceramic tile bath.

“Summer is a great time to visit Walnut Glen and take in the Black Crown Forest Preserve in all of its greenery.  It’s very easy to imagine yourself living here because this community is so unique and offers a setting that is second-to-none.  Once buyers visit Walnut Glen, they don’t want to leave,” said Danner.

Residential Homes of America, Inc. has been recognized for the highest standards of quality and integrity with the Diamond Builder Designation from the Home Buyers Warranty Corporation for its superior workmanship and spotless claims record.  RHA

was the only homebuilder in Illinois to receive the coveted award which is a one-time only, lifetime award given only to those builders who have demonstrated at least a five-

year track record of offering the highest standards of construction, design and customer service in their markets based on strict criteria. 

Walnut Glen is located in northwest suburban Island Lake.  To visit, take Route 176 to Darrell Road, north 1-1/2 miles to Neville Road, west on Neville Road to Dowell Road, south on Dowell to the Walnut Glen Information Center on the west side of the street.  Or, take Route 120 west to Darrell Road, south 1-1/2 miles to Dowell Road, south one mile to the Walnut Glen Information Center and models.  The information center and models are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m.  Call (815) 344-3030 for more information or visit rhahomes.com.

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