Orland Park is one of the fastest growing south suburbs in Cook County, with more than 40 developments approved or under way. That’s why a special fund was established to preserve natural landscaping, sloughs and wildlife.
In two years the nonprofit Open Lands Fund has raised about $500,000 in donations. The village will use the fund to purchase land and maintain its natural habitat with free-roaming deer, fox and other native animals.
Also being preserved are buildings in the Old Orland area, from 143rd Street to 144th Place between Beacon and West avenues. “The town’s strength and beauty came from settlers who were hard working,” said Joyce Lahti, a board member and archivist for the Orland Historical Society. “They didn’t have a good deal of worldly goods, but they saved their money and farmed.” Early immigrants included German, English, Irish and other Europeans.
Orland Park’s most notable forefather was John Stuart Humphrey, a state senator from 1870 to 1910 who helped incorporate the village in 1892. Today, the historical society offers tours of the 1881 Humphrey House at 114th Place and Beacon, along with two pre-1850 log cabins built by brothers Jacob and Bernard Hostert at 146th Street and West Avenue.
As Orland Park preserves its history, it’s also encouraging the future. New construction includes houses, townhouses, apartments and condominiums. Brighton Gardens by Marriott, a 105-bed assisted-living facility, also begins construction this year at 16055 S. La Grange Rd.
One of the larger subdivisions, Eagle Ridge, has been building since 1988 near 108th Avenue and 179th Street. Developer Clearview Construction of Orland Park began with 600 single-family and attached homes priced from $120,000 to $200,000. A second construction phase began in 1994 and continues until 1999, with plans for 580 units of houses and condos starting at $113,000 to $260,000. A 160-unit Phase III will begin this year, with construction continuing until 2000. Estimated prices are $180,000 to $275,000, said John Voss, Clearview vice president.
The Murifield subdivison, 10651 W. 167th St., will feature 32 custom-built houses. Construction by the Huguelet Co. of Frankfort begins this spring at a heavily wooded site with rolling terrain and a pond. Prices may start at $400,000, said developer Paul Huguelet.
While a few established single-family homes cost about $1 million, most homes range from $120,000 to $400,000, with a median of $185,000, said Bob Sullivan, director of development. “People are attracted to the open space we have left, the park and school systems,” said Sullivan.
Typical older homes include split-levels, primarily sided in brick, said Marilyn Marich, a Baird & Warner agent. “It’s a very affordable area with very nice homes,” said Marich. Homes sell in 45 to 60 days.
La Grange Road from about 143rd Street to 159th Street is bulging with strip malls, restaurants and the Orland Square shopping mall at 151st Street. Orland Square has zoomed in popularity since 1975, but neighboring Orland Park Place has foundered and is awaiting the village’s promise of rehabilitation.
Orland Park officials are considering several development proposals: an office and hotel complex near the I-80 corridor; a retail and parking complex for Old Orland near 143rd Street and Southwest Highway; bike paths that tie into Centennial Park at 155th and West Avenue, and a skateboarding park at 147th Street and West Avenue.
The park developments will complement Orland Park’s longtime slogan of “golf center of the world.” Three golf courses lie within its boundaries, with 18 in the region. Other entertainment attractions include 24-hour ice skating arena complex and cinemas.
“It’s a vibrant place to raise a family,” said Village President Daniel McLaughlin, a native South Sider who moved to Orland Park in 1979 when the population was about 21,000. A special census in 1997 indicated a population of 47,583, a one-third increase from 1990.
Families also are attracted to Orland Park’s public school system. Carl Sandburg High School has 3,100 students and an award-winning teaching staff. A three-year-old program called First Class, which focuses on dignity and respect among the students and faculty, includes creative problem solving and weekly meetings to discuss issues concerning the students or the community.
“We’ve had officials from 60 schools visit us to learn more about the program,” said Principal Jack Baldermann.
