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Active adults head for housing in Lovettsville
When the property next to the Lovettsville Volunteer Fire Department on Berlin Turnpike was purchased in the mid 1980s, Mayor Elaine Walker had a vision for it.
She hoped that one day, a community for senior citizens would sit on that property. Today, more than 20 years later, that vision is being realized with the Heritage Highlands active adult community, which is being built by Miami-based Lennar Corporation.
Currently, 10 of the 80 homes Lennar is building have been sold. The houses are for people age 55 and above, and Walker has already heard praise from those who have bought houses.
"They are pleased," Walker said. "I think the lady who was moving in first had had her name on the list for two years, so she was very happy (to move in).
"In fact, about five of the houses are already occupied," Walker said.
The houses Lennar is building have two levels, but everything a person needs to live is on the first floor. This accommodates people who may have trouble climbing stairs.
A master bedroom with a large master bathroom is on the main floor, along with a kitchen, family room, half bath, laundry area and dining area.
Upstairs, there is a large great room that could be used as a playroom or bedroom for grandchildren and another bedroom. Each house has its own garage, as well.
A community center is planned to give the residents activities to participate in every day, and a walking/biking trail will also run through the community.
That trail will connect with a larger trail network planned for Lovettsville so that all of the town's residents can safely go from place to place, whether their destination is the retail component of the new Town Center being built or one of the restaurants in the older part of town.
Walker is anxiously awaiting the completion of the trail network.
"Right now we have pedestrians who are walking at the edge of a highway, and that is just not safe," she said.
In addition to the safety benefit of the trail network, Walker is happy about the added health benefits residents will experience from using a trail network instead of driving.
She also foresees a lot of good coming from the Heritage Highlands active adult community being so close to Lovettsville Elementary School.
"For those seniors to interact with our little students at the elementary school, the mentoring that could happen would be wonderful," Walker said.
Walker is also trying to get an assisted living community planned for the area right next to Heritage Highlands to complement the independent living section being built.
"I am so very proud to have a facility like this in our community," she said.
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