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Harbor Happenings

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For Living…

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]“We’re excited to introduce the Cottages at River Row as the newest addition to our pocket neighborhood concept at Heritage Harbor Ottawa, which allows us create distinctive residential experiences within the larger community,” said Tammy Barry, director of sales and marketing for Heritage Harbor Ottawa. “This enclave of homes was inspired by buyer demand for smaller, low-maintenance residences perfect for placing in our on-site rental management program, but also featuring the architectural aesthetics and high-quality design buyers want in a home they will enjoy themselves. These homes complement the neighborhood’s liberal rental policy, while also giving buyers everything they’re looking for in a vacation or weekend residence.”

Barry noted the Cottages at River Row neighborhood is also distinguished by its proximity to the new West Peninsula pool, as well as easy access to the riverfront and other resort amenities.

“These are the first pool-side homes we’ve built at Heritage Harbor, and they have a real ‘getaway’ vibe that comes with a pool being just steps from the back door,” said Barry. “Of course, the new West Peninsula pool will also be a terrific new amenity for all of our residents and guests to enjoy as part of the relaxing resort lifestyle at Heritage Harbor Ottawa. When it opens later this summer, residents will have two pools to choose from in the community, including our existing pool next to the marina.”

The new Cottages at River Row neighborhood will include three single-family homes, which are being built on a speculative basis, and four duplex residences. Two of the single-family homes will feature floor plans by nationally-renowned architects Peter Brachvogel and Stella Carosso of Bainbridge Island, Wash.-based Perfect Little House Company, which offers smaller home designs infused with quality and character.

“The Perfect Little House ideology, that you can live big in a well-designed smaller home, is a terrific fit for the lifestyle at Heritage Harbor,” said Barry. “The company’s floor plans have been prominently featured in popular vacation home communities in the Northwest, and we look forward to bringing more Perfect Little House designs to Heritage Harbor in the future. These two homes are a great way to showcase examples from their portfolio for our buyers.”

A third single family home was designed and is being built by Lisle, Ill.-based Rivercrest Development Group LLC.

Priced from $249,000 to $299,000 and ranging from 800 to 1,250 square feet, the three single-family homes have one to three bedrooms and 1 to 2½ baths. They are expected to be available for September move-in.

The four duplex residences at Cottages at River Row will measure approximately 1,300 square feet and will feature multiple outdoor spaces including front porches and rear decks. Priced from $259,000, the duplexes have two bedrooms and 2 ½ baths. Construction will start later this summer, with expected move-in by late fall.

Construction is already underway on the new West Peninsula pool, which is expected to open during the current boating season. An adjacent pool house will feature restroom facilities for swimmers. The pool is the second of many neighborhood-sized pools that will be built within the resort’s different pocket neighborhoods as the development grows.

Barry noted this spring has already been busy at Heritage Harbor, with construction wrapping up for the development’s “Flite” series of contemporary townhomes. Additionally, the community’s on-site restaurant reopened last month as the Red Dog Grill. The redesigned restaurant features harbor-side dining and a menu of contemporary American grill cuisine.

“It’s an exciting time at Heritage Harbor as more and more people discover Starved Rock Country as a vacation-home destination, with so much to offer in the way of hiking, biking, water sports and more,” said Barry. “Heritage Harbor is designed to be the ideal home base for enjoying everything that makes this region so unique, and it’s very rewarding to see this community grow and give even more residents an amazing waterfront lifestyle in this area.”

Heritage Harbor Ottawa features a full-service marina that can accommodate up to 450 wet slips. Open April 1 through October 31, the marina is equipped with a dual boat launch area, single-load floating docks, WiFi, fresh water, cable service, a full-service fuel dock, pump-out services, and car and trailer parking. Quest Water Sports’ Quest Express boating membership is available on-site, giving participants access to a fleet of boating equipment for an annual fee.

For information on Heritage Harbor Ottawa Resort and available homes, call (815) 433-5000 or visit www.heritageharborottawa.com.

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July 4th Weekend at Heritage Harbor

Friday Night Live Music 5-8 pm—Casey Carrino

Friday Night FREE Outdoor Movies at dusk—“GREASE”

Ottawa’s Old Town Farmer’s Market 8-12:30 pm

Saturday Night Live Music 5-8 pm—“Sing With the Band”

Ottawa Fireworks Downtown or View from River at dusk

Sunday Pick up Volleyball game & Bags at 11 am

Rent a Kayak or Paddleboard, Hike Starved Rock, Bike the I&M Canal and enjoy everything that Starved Rock Country has to offer!

Every Friday Night

FREE Outdoor Movies at Heritage Harbor at Dusk

Every Saturday Morning

8-12:30 pm Ottawa’s Old Town Market

Every Saturday Night

Music in the Park in Washington Square 6 pm

Dog Days of Summer Live Music at Heritage Harbor 8-11 pm

Other Upcoming Events

7/8-7/12 LaSalle County 4-H Show & Junior Fair

7/18 Saturday- Catfish Kayak Fishing Tournament

7/19 Sunday- Y Knot Cardboard Regatta

7/25 Summerfest at Skydive Chicago

7/28-7/30 IAFF-MG 10th Anniversary Motorcycle Rally

7/29-8/2 Ottawa River Festival 7/29 to 8/2[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

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For Boating…

[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]For anyone who is passionate about boating, the idea of having a vacation home on the water – and near your boat – has probably crossed your mind. But with so many options out there for waterfront living, it’s important to think long and hard about what you want most in a waterfront property, and arm yourself with a check list of your top priorities.

Likewise, there are some special considerations that are unique to purchasing a second home and waterfront property. As the director of sales and marketing for Heritage Harbor Ottawa, a marina resort community along the Illinois River in Ottawa, Ill., just 90 minutes from Chicago, I’ve helped a number of homeowners through the process of evaluating what type of waterfront home is best for their lifestyle. Here are some of the most important things I tell any buyer – and boater – to keep in mind:

• Location: Your choice of location will certainly be directed by the type of boating you want to do (River? Inland lake? Large body of water?). A good first step is to spend a day boating in any location you are considering to make sure the experience is what you are looking for – particularly if you aren’t already familiar with the area. Also, when purchasing a second home, think about how close it is to your primary residence, and how much time you are willing to spend traveling there. Is it an easy drive, or are you likely to encounter traffic and congestion? Is it close enough that you can comfortably make the trip for a weekend, or even an overnight stay, without feeling exhausted from time in the car?

• Boating Amenities: Scope out the proximity of boating amenities, whether they are available within a community where you are considering purchasing a home or nearby on the body of water where you plan to boat. Where are the best options for fuel, pump-out, service and off-season storage? Are local marina facilities public or private? Of course, a marina-based community will offer boating amenities on-site, but be sure to check the age and condition of the facilities and costs for using them. Finally, are there interesting destinations to boat to, such as waterfront restaurants, festivals, fireworks displays, islands or beaches?

• Length of Season: Research the length of the boating season where you are thinking of purchasing. Case in point, while Heritage Harbor Ottawa is near Chicago, our boating season is typically one to two months longer than the city’s Lake Michigan harbors thanks to differences in weather and water conditions. but thanks to differences in weather and water conditions, our boating season is typically one to two months longer than the city’s Lake Michigan harbors.

• Home and Lifestyle Decisions: Look for a home that complements the lifestyle you want to enjoy on the waterfront. Does the home have decks and outdoor spaces for enjoying water views, and easy access to the waterfront? Do you plan to have friends and family stay with you frequently? If so, look for flexible spaces, such as lofts or dens, which can accommodate a variety of sleeping arrangements. Open floor plans, with the kitchen flowing into the living space, are popular in vacation homes since it makes it easy for large groups to enjoy time together.

Your storage needs may be very different in a waterfront home than your primary residence. Is there space on the property to store your boat and trailer during the off-season, or are there dry dock facilities nearby? Does the home have space in the garage or a storage closet for all the extra gear and toys you are likely to accumulate living on the water – from kayaks and paddle boards to tubes, skis and assorted rafts, not to mention outdoor furniture?

• Nearby Recreational Activities: To get maximum enjoyment out of your second home, look for a location near other activities besides boating that interest you – from dining and shopping options to opportunities for hiking and biking. For example, at Heritage Harbor Ottawa, many of our residents appreciate that we are located within Starved Rock Country, a popular recreational region with four state parks, miles of biking trails, and quaint towns where they can try new restaurants for dinner or visit charming boutiques.

• Financial Considerations: Make sure you are informed about additional costs associated with owning any waterfront home, such as requirements for carrying flood insurance, or HOA fees to cover maintenance of waterfront and boating amenities including docks, marinas and beaches. Also, investigate opportunities to offer your waterfront property as a vacation rental when you are not using it, which can be a great way to offset the cost of owning a second home. This can be a very turnkey process if the community has an onsite rental management program, such as the one we offer homeowners at Heritage Harbor.

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July Harbor Happenings

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Golf In Ottawa, IL

Golf season is underway, and for people looking to golf in Ottawa, IL, there are plenty of options to choose from. Deer Park Country Club and Pine Hills Golf Club are two favorites in the Ottawa area, and both have challenging and scenic courses that can’t be missed. With both courses, players can enjoy a round of golf surrounded by Illinois’ beautiful natural landscapes.

Deer Park Country Club

Deer Park has been a top golfing course in the Illinois Valley for over 100 years. About 12 miles southwest of Ottawa, Deer Park Country Club borders the breathtaking Matthiessen State Park, and the park’s incredible rock formations and plant life can be seen from the club. Deer Park prides itself as the premiere private 18-hole course in LaSalle County. The course has a stunning, rolling landscape and features extremely narrow fairways. Trees and water hazards are scattered throughout the course, adding a little challenge for even the best of golfers.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday – open to the public at Deer Park – $40 for 18 holes includes cart.

Deer Park is also a great club for people looking to improve their game. PGA Professional Matt Gebhardt offers lessons to help golfers understand the fundamentals of the game and improve their swing. Lessons on the putting green, short game area and driving range are also available at the club. When people are done with their lessons or a round of golf, they can enjoy a meal and a drink at the Nineteenth Hole or take a swim in the club’s swimming pool.

Pine Hills Golf Course

Known for its natural beauty, Pine Hills is one of the most scenic golf courses in the Ottawa area. The stunning course plays off the natural landscape of the area, complete with bluffs, valleys, hills and hundreds of pine and oak trees. The varied landscape makes the 18-hole course challenging for both beginners and seasoned golfers.

In addition to its scenic course, Pine Hills is known for something unusual to a golf course: pizza. The Pine Hills Bar & Restaurant’s signature pizza is an award-winning recipe from the Pike family, owners of Pine Hills since 2010. After players finish their round of golf, they can head to the restaurant for a slice of the famous pizza or one of the other delicious entrees on the menu.

The docks will soon be back in the water, which means boating season is right around the corner. If you haven’t prepped your boat yet, you’ll want to put that on your to-do list soon, because the first trip out on the water will be here before you know it!

Always follow what’s prescribed in your owner’s manual, especially when it comes to the engine and electrical systems. Here’s a checklist outlining what needs to be done as you prep your boat for the season:

1. Overall cleaning – It doesn’t matter if you put your boat into dry storage or if you left it covered with a tarp outside all winter – it needs a cleaning. Check that critters didn’t build a nest in the seat cushions, inspect the hull for scrapes, and thoroughly wash out the bilges and tanks. Also look for mildew on the floors, seats, covers and anything else in the boat that is vinyl. Boats are often used in areas with high humidity, and that can lead to the growth of mold and mildew. This is not only bad for the boat itself, but also for your health. Be sure to remove any mold and mildew before you use the boat this summer.

2. Wax the hull – Keep your hull in prime condition all summer long with a fresh coat of wax on the hull. This will help protect the paint, which keeps everything from rusting. If you notice a spot where paint has scraped away, get that fixed first and then layer on the wax.

3. Prep the engine – Check all the fluids and be sure to add some gasoline to the engine. If you didn’t change the oil last fall, do so now. Hook up your fully charged battery and give the engine a test run.

4. Test all electronics – Make certain everything works, including the lighting system, your GPS system, radio and depth finder.

5. Check your registration – Before heading to the water, verify that the registration is up to date on the boat and the trailer.

With these tips and those detailed in your owner’s manual, you’ll be ready to hit the water as soon as the docks are in. So schedule your boat’s spring-cleaning session now, because you won’t want to miss any time out on the water!

Ottawa is full of can’t-miss events, and the 2015 Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon taking place on Saturday, May 16 is one of them. Only in its second year, the marathon is set to become a central Illinois favorite.

The Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon course embraces the breathtaking scenery of the Illinois River and the variety of landscapes in and around Starved Rock State Park. The 26.2-mile scenic course will begin along the waterfront in downtown Ottawa’s Washington Square and then take runners through South Ottawa onto Route 71, along the winding roadways through Starved Rock State Park. The runners will then cross over the Utica Bridge and head back to downtown Ottawa.

Not only is the course an homage to the illustrious history and beauty of Starved Rock Country, but the medals awarded for the marathon are also a tribute. Finishers of this year’s Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon will receive the Buffalo Finishers Medal, which gives a nod to Buffalo Rock State Park, one of the parks on the marathon route and a former military, trading and missionary post for the French. When the 2015 Buffalo Finishers Medal is joined with the 2014 medal and future 2016, 2017 and 2018 medals, the combination will form a puzzle showcasing the natural beauty and wonder of Starved Rock Country.

With Washington Square serving as the start and finish line, the Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon is expected to draw thousands of runners and spectators to downtown Ottawa on the day of the marathon. Spectators can watch runners take off at 7 a.m. and then explore the downtown area while awaiting the runners’ return. With its rich history and variety of shops and restaurants, Ottawa won’t disappoint.

People participating in the Starved Rock Country Marathon and Half Marathon are encouraged to stay in Ottawa the whole weekend and enjoy the marathon’s other festivities, including a Health and Fitness Expo on Friday, May 15. Ottawa also has a large offering of recreational activities for visitors to enjoy during their stay. We’ve highlighted our favorites in

Adventure to discover in the Ottawa, IL area, but there are many more to be found.

Come for the marathon, but stay for the memories.

Fall is a great time to visit the north-central countryside of Illinois, especially if you’re into hunting and fishing. With a second home in Ottawa, you can plan extended weekends or even set aside full weeks so you can spend time enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Heritage Harbor Ottawa also has vacation homes available for rent, making the location a prime spot in Illinois for a great hunting and fishing vacation retreat.

Fishing, waterfowl and deer hunting all have open seasons during the fall months. Read on to learn what’s available for you to do this season.

Waterfowl: Ottawa is on the border between Northern and Central Goose and Duck Zone, so hunters with a second home at Heritage Harbor Ottawa need to know that the land north of I-80 and west of I-39 is considered the Northern Zone, meaning it has different hunting dates. Visit here to see a map of where these zones are.

Deer: Bow hunting for deer is popular in Ottawa, and Catlin Park right in Ottawa is a prime location for this activity. Hunters can easily leave their home in Heritage Harbor early in the morning, drive a few miles to Catlin Park, set up in their tree stand and have the best seat in the county. Archery season runs through Jan. 18. It is temporarily closed, however, between Nov. 21 and 23, as well as and Dec. 4 – 7. These dates constitute firearm season. Catlin Park does not allow firearm hunters. Click here to learn more about archery hunting in Catlin Park.

Fishing: The rivers and lakes are starting to freeze over for the season, and that means an early ice fishing season might be on its way. If you want to fish from shore, though, you still can. Chances are, you’ll be able to snag some bass, crappies and bluegills. Many of the rivers have dams built, providing some of the top fishing locations in LaSalle County. They’re just a short drive from Heritage Harbor, making it a great place to stay for a fall fishing weekend. And in Ottawa itself, the confluence of the Fox and Illinois Rivers is a great hide-out for many fish species.

Because it’s just a short drive from the Chicago area, Heritage Harbor Ottawa is a great location to plan your next hunting adventure. So pack up your family or friends, pick up your hunting and fishing licenses in town, and set the alarm early for a great day of adventure.

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The grass is growing, Graduations are behind us, and summer is in full swing! With the great weather we had over Memorial Day weekend, there is absolutely no question that it is time to go boating! There are lots of new faces in the Harbor this year, so take a little time to go meet your new dock neighbors and make some new friends! The Junior fishing tournament is coming up this month- so come up and watch the kids have a great time trying to “land the big one”!

Boating safety month is over, but I wanted to share with you guys some information that most boaters don’t even think about.

Most folks think of the electrical systems on their boats the way they think of their electric at home- either the power is on or off, and the things that I plug in should work, so long as I have a receptacle… In reality marine electric systems are more susceptible to damage and wear, simply because the environment they are in is so different. Vibration, flexing, frequent overloading and more exposure to moisture take their toll on these systems. These systems should be checked frequently, and if maintenance or repairs are necessary, they must be done correctly- a simple mistake can be fatal. In 2012, this issue was driven home to me by the Electric-Shock Drownings of two kids at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. An improperly wired private dock devastated a family. Please check out this article for the details: http://www.boatus.com/seaworthy/magazine/2013/july/electric-shock-drowning-explained.asp. This tragedy and several others were preventable- and should never happen again. The electric systems at Heritage Harbor are tested at least twice per year, and we check the waters periodically for signs of stray current. Any time that you make repairs or modifications to your electric system, ensure that the repairs are done properly- If you aren’t sure about something, have somebody qualified check it out for you! If you would like to have the test done that is explained in the article, let me know- I have the proper equipment, and would be happy to drop by and spend a couple of minutes with you to ensure that we are all being safe out there!

Have a great time boating- I’ll see you at the Friday night Bonfire! (bring a lawn chair and the refreshments of your choice!)