308 Sheldon Avenue Downers Grove IL 60515 MLS #MRD12090004

Solid brick home on an extra deep, private yard, backing onto Hummer Park. Stunning, mature, landscaping. Ranch home with hardwood floors under carpeting. Garage (attached) with extra tall ceiling. Large sun porch off Kitchen. Double wide, concrete driveway. Addition possibilities. Full, partially finished basement with good ceiling height and separate, large laundry room with double tub, shelving (including built-in) plus great storage. 2 blocks to RR station & walking distance to downtown Downers. “This lot is unusual in that it boasts a wide assortment of wildlife, including some not typically found in a suburban setting. But there’s also other wildlife – rabbits, chipmunks, grey squirrels, red squirrels, and black squirrels along with an occasional Mallard, possum, and fox/coyote. Yes, Mallards have been known to waddle into the yard to feed on corn tossed at the base of a bird feeder. Earlier this year, two of them casually waddled in for a snack. They did not fly in, like other birds. Instead, they walked in, as if it were no big deal to simply stroll on over to say hi and grab a bite to eat. First, it was just a mated pair, then the two of them with their babies. Soon, the family moved on. The wide assortment of wildlife in this otherwise suburban setting arises from the unique situation of a large lot next to extensive green space (Hummer Park) with a creek running through it (Saint Joseph’s Creek). The creek is a key wildlife habitat, because it’s a water resource, but the creek also is bordered with large trees and dense vegetation providing food, protection, and shelter. Hummer is a large park and one of Downers Grove’s premier parks. In addition to offering habitat attractive to wildlife, it offers many things attractive to families and kids. It has a big, fully improved indoor/outdoor pavilion, BBQ grills, picnic tables, and large playground area. In the summer, it hosts special events for kids which are sponsored by the Park District. As this lot backs up to the park, kids can get to the park quickly and safely. But the lot is also separated from the park’s active areas by the creek. This separation affords the lot a measure of quiet and privacy even during the park’s most active periods. However, kids still have safe and direct access to those active areas via the public entryway. The entry point can be reached either via the public sidewalk which runs in front of the house or via a grassed area which lies between the creek and the lot. This lot — with its large size, privacy, wildlife, adjacent public green space, public amenities, and community events — was the late homeowner’s dream lot. To find it, he had to keep tabs on the housing market for several years, before his dream lot finally popped up. Lots like this one are exceedingly rare. When the lot finally did hit the market, he snapped it up and then lived here happily for almost 40 years. He was an avid gardener, and the yard shows it. It blooms all season long, with a lovely succession of flowering plants and trees, one after another. If you love privacy, this is your lot. If you love public green space, this is your lot. If you love parks, this is your lot. If you love birds, this is your lot. If you love wildlife, this is your lot. If your love all that blooms, this is your lot.”