Fields of Ambria in neighborhood profile

When Kirstin and Frank Mahar were looking at a home in the Fields of Ambria subdivision, they took one look out the back window, saw the baseball field, and that was it. They were sold on the home, which backs to Community Park in Mundelein.

"We raised four children here, and we spent a lot of time out at the ballparks," Frank Mahar said. "It's been quite a blessing."

The five-star Community Park is a sports lover's paradise with baseball, softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, playground, fishing and a picnic area. Also, the popular Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center is a great spot for family fun and a challenge for thrill-seekers. The outdoor water park includes pools, slides, enclosed body flume slide, aqua climb wall and concessions stand.

"We love our home. We're only selling because our children are grown and we're downsizing," Mahar said. "The house has been a wonderful family gathering place, and it's been so nice with our large yard. It's comfortable for people to come here and easy to spread out.

"When the weather is nice, the kids can play in our pool and run around at the park."

Of course, there's also a swimming pool just south of the neighborhood in Community Park. Everything is within walking distance without crossing any major highways, Mahar said.

"The grade school is nearby. Neighbors are wonderful," he said. "If you're going to raise a family, you would have a hard time finding a better place to live."

Situated off Midlothian Road, north of Route 176 and south of Winchester Road, Fields of Ambria features 240 homes with eight floor plans ranging from 2,300 to 3,900 square feet, four to five bedrooms, 2½ to 3½ baths and two- to three-car garage.

A big draw to the neighborhood is that it's comprised of semi-custom homes, and the layout of the neighborhood is very nice with winding streets and different elevations, said Bob Wallen, real estate broker with Century 21 Market Place Ltd. in Mundelein.

"Also, Community Park is a wonderful neighborhood with so many amenities; everything you could want is there. Part of the neighborhood backs to federally protected wetlands, and nothing will be built there, so you're right there with nature," said Wallen, also an original resident of the neighborhood.

When the neighborhood was built in 1990, there wasn't as much built in the northwest corner of Mundelein. The subdivision is a short distance from the library, shopping and the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Fields of Ambria was Meister Group Ltd's first single-family home development, and it offered upscale homes at reasonable prices at that time, Wallen said. "They built it, and we came."

The award-winning Mundelein Park and Recreation District offers bicycle trails with access to the beautiful county forest preserve system and the Fort Hill Heritage Museum. The jewels of the district include Community Park, Barefoot Bay Water Park, Steeplechase Golf Course, and Parkview Health and Fitness Center and Senior Center.

The community offers many cultural, educational and family events throughout the year. The Mundelein Fine Arts Festival features top-notch artists, local musicians and good food at Kracklauer Park. The park also hosts summer concerts. Community Days in July features a parade, carnival, music, car show and family activities.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price range:</span> $300,000 to $400,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 21 to 26 years

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Mechanics Grove Elementary and Carl Sandburg Middle schools in Mundelein Elementary District 75 and Mundelein High School in Mundelein High School District 120

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Mundelein Park and Recreation District