Crown Point Neighbor Winfield Blossoms as Attractive Place to Live
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Winfield can trace its roots – and its name – to the mid-19th century. But the town wasn’t incorporated as a township until 1993. Since then‚ it has grown by leaps and bounds.
Organized in 1843‚ Winfield is located seven miles east of Crown Point. It is named for Gen. Winfield Scott‚ who commanded troops during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War.
In recent years‚ Winfield has experienced a boom in housing construction‚ with 81 single-family housing permits issued in 2004‚ 160 in 2003‚ 90 in 2002‚ 59 in 2001 and 108 in 2000‚ according to figures compiled by the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission. The town’s population was 2‚298 at the time of the 2000 census and was estimated to have grown to 2‚916 by 2003‚ according to commission figures.
Adjacent to the township is the Lakes of the Four Seasons development‚ which has been through a growth spurt of its own. The gated‚ 1‚876-acre development‚ which was established in the mid-1960s‚ had a population of 7‚291 in the 2000 census‚ and five years later it is closing in on 8‚000‚ says Bob Campbell‚ community manager. LOFS is about 98 percent developed.
LOFS has 13 parks‚ four lakes‚ an 18-hole golf course‚ beaches‚ tennis courts‚ ball fields and a swimming pool. It’s those features‚ plus a “small-town feeling‚” that appeal to residents‚ Campbell says.
“I think all the amenities are really what attract people‚” he adds. “There’s a lot to do here‚ and it’s very self-sufficient. Primarily‚ that’s what people want. Neighbors get together‚ and you can walk the streets and be safe.”
To promote the advantages of doing business in the area‚ the Winfield/LOFS Chamber of Commerce has been organized under the leadership of Ray Govert‚ president. “With Winfield and Lakes of the Four Seasons‚” Govert says‚ “there’s a rural setting and a lot of very nice neighborhoods away from the heavy traffic of U.S. 30.
“Winfield is a nice community to be a part of‚” he adds. “There are so many benefits. Everyone seems to really reach out and help each other. Winfield Township is a very historic area. And with the growth of the town‚ it’s becoming more prominent.”
The young Winfield/LOFS chamber recently opened its own office and in mid-2005 had about 65 members. Govert estimates that by the end of 2005‚ membership will exceed 80.
Chamber activities already in place include a golf outing to raise funds for college scholarships.
Govert says the chamber will collaborate closely with town officials through its new governmental affairs committee and also work to update Winfield’s master plan. The current plan is 12 years old and didn’t foresee the rapid growth the town has experienced‚ Govert says.
“We’re a small but growing chamber‚” he says.
Story by Anne Gillem
Photo by Stephen Cherry
