Circle Bay Estates near loads of recreation

Twenty-three years ago, Sandy and Arnold Mueller moved to Circle Bay Estates, a subdivision of 94 homes built around the private Lake of Circle Bay in Elk Grove Village.

The Mueller family originally lived off the lake, then in 2000 they moved to another home across the street and five houses down, which is on the lake with great views and access to water activities.

“This is a fabulous place to live,” said Sandy Mueller, broker and associate with Baird & Warner.

“It was important for us to stay here because of our church, the schools, hospital, Pavilion (recreation center) and all the amenities that Elk Grove offers,” she said.

The neighborhood has newer, semi-custom homes built in the 1980s, most with basements, as well as houses built by Centex in the 1950s and '60s with no basements.

The subdivision features mostly two-story homes, some split-levels and a few ranches with a variety of styles including Colonials, Tudors and Cape Cods. Homes typically have four bedrooms and 2½ baths while some have three bedrooms.

Mueller said a lot of residents are updating their kitchens and baths and having new siding and roofing installed.

The lake is a big selling point. People love the lake where they can walk, canoe, fish (catch and release) and ride paddle boats. Motorized boats are not permitted, Mueller said.

Original residents John and Carol Michalski were attracted to the subdivision because of the lake, wildlife and fishing, the quality and style of homes and its convenient location.

“I was working in Franklin Park at the time, and being close to the expressway made it easy to get to work,” John Michalski said. “Also, we're close to Woodfield (Mall) and other shopping areas.”

Michalski also likes the layout of his home and especially the family room for gathering with family and friends. “It has comfortable couches, chairs, fireplace, TV, and it's just off the kitchen, which makes it convenient for making snacks.”

Mueller and Michalski both like being within walking distance of the hospital, library, park district, concerts and all the community events put on by the village.

The Elk Grove community hosts a Thanksgiving dinner at Christus Victor Lutheran Church for people in need who live in the area, and the event is just “awesome,” Mueller said.

“They cook 280 pounds of turkey and serve 550 guests thanks to Tasty Catering. One of its owners lives in our neighborhood,” she said.

Elk Grove has been a great place to raise a family, Michalski said.

“It has everything a person needs and good park district facilities and programs. When our kids were younger, we were more involved with the park district,” she said. “Now I'm on the homeowners association board, and that keeps me very busy.”

For recreation, the Ned Brown Preserve, also known as Busse Woods, is a 3,700-acre preserve with a 590-acre lake and 11.2 miles of bicycle and running trails. It's a beautiful place for walking, biking and fishing.

Elk Grove's park district maintains more than 450 acres of land, an 18-hole golf course, Pirates' Cove children's theme park and a senior citizen center. The district has been named one of the 25 best parks and recreation agencies in the nation.

The district's popular Pavilion offers a state-of-the-art recreation center that features an indoor carousel ride, indoor playground, fitness center, jungle-themed pool, banquet rooms, climbing wall and racquetball and basketball courts.

Listing sheet

<b>Price range: </b> $350,000 to $500,000

<b>Age of homes: </b>26 to 30 years old

<b>Schools: Byrd Elementary and Grove Junior High schools in Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 and Elk Grove High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214

<b>Parks: </b>Elk Grove Village Park District