Plainfield moving forward, proud of its past
Plainfield, Will County's oldest community, was primarily an agricultural town until the 21st century when many farmers sold their land. This led to a housing boom with the construction of large subdivisions, and people headed west from Chicago to buy a new home.
Today Plainfield offers a real estate market of rural areas, in-town homes with more of a city feel, and traditional suburban neighborhoods, lending itself to a diverse community comprised of all different types of people, said Rhonda Altman, broker-associate with Realty Executives Success.
“There's new construction, and also plenty of resale homes that are less than 10 years old. We have a good selection of all styles, price ranges and sizes.”
Yet, Plainfield's newer homes are still a big draw for homebuyers.
“People still like the newer homes, and, especially with short sales and foreclosures, they're getting some really good buys here,” said Rosemary West, broker-associate with RE/MAX Professionals Select.
“I just closed on a house for transferees who called in September and said they wanted to look at houses in Plainfield. They bought a 1-year-old home for $450,000.
“They had researched the area, and with two boys, 3 and 9, they were really all about the schools. And they really liked the Grande Park subdivision, which is a large subdivision with a community pool and clubhouse.
“They could have bought in Naperville, but the home wouldn't have been a year old, so they believe they got a lot for their money here.
“Homes today are selling at about the same price as they were in 2002, if you can believe that. So that's how much prices have gone down about 30 percent.”
Although Plainfield offers homebuyers many reasons to purchase a home in the community, the school system is still a big draw for the town, Altman said.
Another exciting aspect of Plainfield is its downtown transformation with beautiful streetscapes, expanded sidewalks allowing restaurants to offer alfresco outdoor dining, and extensive landscaping.
During the past year, Plainfield has become a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly destination for shopping, dining and entertainment against the backdrop of many beautifully restored historic buildings.
“There's a lot more going on in Plainfield now,” Altman said. “And it looks gorgeous.”
As Plainfield moves forward, it is proud of its past.
The village has several designated local landmarks and a historic district the East Side Historic District. The Plainfield Historical Society's Main Street Museum features many artifacts and exhibits from Plainfield's past and also operates the restored EJ&E Depot No. 4 Museum located in the downtown area.
Residents have many opportunities for recreation in Plainfield. “We have a lot of parks, and the park district is very good, offering a lot of activities you don't always find in smaller communities,” Altman said.
A popular spot is Settlers' Park, a 20-plus acre park in Plainfield's historic downtown just south of the village hall. The park features the Richard A. Rock Amphitheater, a History Walk, restored War Monument, lake, open space, picnic shelter, playground and walking trails.
Also, Plainfield is home to the Lake Renwick Preserve, a county forest preserve popular for bird-watching and other activities.
With easy access to several interstates and state highways, residents can easily head in any direction for work or pleasure.