Neighborhood profile: Camelot

Camelot - a place of idyllic happiness - is not some faraway fantasy; it's right here in Mount Prospect.

The Camelot subdivision sits across the street from the River Trails Park District's community pool and Weiss Center, with its fitness center, miniature golf course and driving range. And Sycamore Trails Park, a 6.4-acre park within Camelot, features a playground, lighted tennis courts, a sand volleyball court, baseball and soccer fields and a walking/cycling path.

These amenities, a convenient location and excellent schools are big draws for homebuyers.

John and Eileen Boudart have lived in the subdivision for 27 years and they have loved having all the recreation for their three children.

"Our kids took classes and swimming lessons, and our son worked at the pool," Eileen Boudart said. "We took advantage of everything that was offered right here in and around the neighborhood."

The couple needed a larger home when they purchased their tri-level, three-bedroom house in Camelot.

"I loved the layout of the house, the flow and the floor plan," Boudart said. "We have a finished basement and nice master bath. It's very bright, and we have a lot of cross breeze with the different levels.

"We also have a large yard and had a trampoline and huge swing set for many years. With so many families raising their children in the neighborhood, there was always someone jumping on the trampoline.

"On nice nights, the neighbors gathered on someone's driveway or in the backyard to socialize. We had big neighborhood block parties every year. Now that our children are grown, we enjoy watching all of the new families move in to raise their kids here, just like we did."

Situated north of Kensington Road at Newberry Lane, west of Wolf Road, Camelot features a variety of home styles including Colonials, ranches and split levels, said Becky Lippstreuer, real estate broker with RE/MAX Suburban and a 10-year resident of the neighborhood.

"With such a variety of floor plans, there's something for everyone. We live in a tri-level, which was perfect when the kids were young. It was also great that they could walk to the elementary and middle schools."

Homes in Camelot typically feature three to four bedrooms, 2½ baths and a two-car garage. Most homes have been remodeled with updated kitchens and baths. Exteriors are well maintained, and the neighborhood has an attractive appearance because the homes and yards have been so meticulously maintained.

"A lot of people have lived here for a long time, which means they like it and don't want to leave," Lippstreuer said. "Homes offer a great value for the money. We're seeing people coming all the way from the city and neighboring villages because of the lack of inventory."

Camelot offers a location close to two Metra stations, one downtown and the other on Wolf Road in Prospect Heights. For shopping, dining and entertainment close to home, Randhurst Village offers a beautiful open-air center with a diverse mix of retail stores, restaurants and a 12-screen, state-of-the-art movie theater.

Another entertainment option is the Rob Roy Golf Course, a public course owned by the park district that offers a restaurant and bar.

The vibrant downtown is family-friendly with the library and all the festivals that bring people together. Fridays on the Green features free outdoor concerts in the summer. Oktoberfest and Irishfest are popular Mount Prospect festivals, and the downtown block party is coming up in July. Mount Prospect also has many events going on now to celebrate its 100-year anniversary.

Listing sheet

<span class="fact box text bold">Price of homes:</span> $300,000 to $500,000

<span class="fact box text bold">Age of homes:</span> 46 to 54 years

<span class="fact box text bold">Schools: </span>Euclid Elementary and River Trails Middle schools in River Trails Elementary District 26 and John Hersey High School in Northwest Suburban High School District 214

<span class="fact box text bold">Parks:</span> River Trails Park District