Crestwood Estates in neighborhood profile

It's all about the trees in Wood Dale's Crestwood Estates - beautiful old oak trees that the developer gifted to homebuyers.

The stately trees were a draw for John and Janet Berley who bought a home in the subdivision in 1989. "We have six beautiful oak trees on our property," John Berley said. "They're beautiful trees that are more than 100 years old.

"My wife found the house, and she said you're going to love it because it's just like the house in Winston Park where you grew up," Berley said.

He did like it. And with young kids at the time, the elementary school at the end of the street was another big plus for the couple.

What's Berley's favorite place to hang out in their home? It's his man cave, of course.

"I have a lot of Bears and Cubs memorabilia, a TV and a beer frig out in the garage," Berley said. "A lot of guys have remodeled their garage to make it a comfortable spot. It's really nice."

The Berleys have seen the neighborhood go through cycles.

"When we moved here, a lot of couples with young kids lived on the street, and the whole sidewalk was a playground. Neighbors were always at each other's house. It was a great place for the kids."

Now the neighborhood is starting to turn over. Having the elementary school so close with a crossing guard makes the neighborhood attractive for young families.

"We love Wood Dale," said Berley, who was previously its city manager. "We were involved and got to know the city well through all the sports programs."

Situated on Cedar Avenue east of Spring Oaks Drive and Wood Dale Road, Crestwood Estates sits in a desirable south Wood Dale location, said Joe Trotto, broker with Anthony J. Trotto Real Estate in Wood Dale.

"Cut out of a wooded area, Crestwood (Estates) features homes mostly built in the '50s and '60s with similar styles of homes - raised ranches, split levels and a few Tudors on large lots. Some are all brick, and the area is well maintained," Trotto said.

"Residents of the subdivision see a lot of birds and wildlife and deer that run through the area.

"The subdivision sits close to the center of town where residents can walk to the train station. It's also close to the airport, but it doesn't get a lot of airport noise because it's on the south side of town."

Shopping is convenient at Georgetown Square and along Irving Park Road, with easy access to Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale, Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg and Oak Brook Center in Oak Brook.

Wood Dale's park district offers a bounty of recreation, including the Cabin Nature Center at White Oaks Park that serves the community as a natural science and cultural center.

"The White Oaks Dog Park is a popular place, and people come from half an hour away to bring their dogs there to run around," Trotto said.

Just across Wood Dale Road, the 92-acre Salt Creek Forest Preserve offers a picnic shelter, miles of trails and good fishing along with special events for families. The larger Wood Dale Grove Forest Preserve also has trails and Grove Lake, and people see owls and deer and other wildlife there.

Wood Dale sits 22 miles northwest of the Loop. Drivers have easy access to I-290, I-90 and Route 83.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price of homes:</span> $260,000 to $325,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> Most built in the 1960s

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools:</span> Oakbrook Elementary and Wood Dale Junior High schools in Wood Dale Elementary District 7 or Johnson Elementary and Blackhawk Middle schools in Bensenville Elementary District 2; and Fenton High School in Fenton High School District 100.

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> Wood Dale or Bensenville park districts