Abundant space and recreation in Prairie Meadows

Prairie Meadows in Post Falls boasts several appealing attributes for all types. Retirees, families and outdoor enthusiasts alike are drawn to the neighborhood’s larger lot sizes and immaculate landscaping.

While that’s all well and good, the kids come to Prairie Meadows for the towering slide structure located at Beck Park. It’s an impressive sight to see, and maybe even a little daunting for the littlest of playground players. Even my 3-year-old son loved the thing until he realized just how far he had to climb to reach the top.

Beck Park, located off McGuire Road on Howell, north of Poleline Avenue, totals 9 acres and includes restrooms, a basketball court, half-mile loop walking path and a sprawling soccer/sports field. While the city-managed park is tucked away inside Prairie Meadows, it’s impossible to miss those slides once you enter the neighborhood.

Deb Saunders, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty, represents a home currently available in Prairie Meadows. She said the neighborhood’s spacious homes and lot sizes are a huge draw for buyers, particularly retirees and folks in need of large-scale storage.

“The shops are a big draw — that’s really attractive to a lot of out-of-town buyers and for those wanting space campers, RVs, generous yards and gardens,” Saunders said.

Many of the homes in Prairie Meadows have at least a half an acre of lot space, with some up to about an acre, Saunders said. The homes are also typically larger, as in more than 2,000 square feet.

Many homes in the neighborhood already include shops, though those that don’t can work with the Homeowners Association to approve new structures. The CC&Rs in Prairie Meadows also contribute to the neighborhood being one of the best-kept areas in Post Falls.

While new construction continues to explode both west and north of Post Falls’ established areas, Saunders said neighborhoods like Prairie Meadows may be a better fit for buyers in need of both quality and immediate residency.

“We’re looking at 7-8 month build times,” she said. “If you have a turnkey home, even if, say, you have to add a shop, that’s really more desirable than having to find something to rent (between) where you’re making two moves.”

Saunders said much of her recent work has involved retirees or people moving into the area. That includes buyers from Washington, Oregon and California looking for more space and some of the premium amenities locals can sometimes take for granted. After living in places like Arizona and San Francisco where water rationing was a common hindrance, Saunders said the Inland Northwest’s aquifer is a natural resource worth cherishing.

“Many people who haven’t lived anywhere else don’t know how precious our water is,” she said.

Available homes in Prairie Meadows range from a 1,700-square-foot home with shop, three-car garage, three bedrooms and two bathrooms priced at $389,900, to a nearly 2,600-square-foot home with four bedrooms and almost an acre in lot priced at $470,000. Another home with just over 2,400 square feet with three bedrooms and three bathrooms is listed at $425,000.

While sitting on the north side of Post Falls, Prairie Meadows is just a jaunt south on McGuire to Seltice Way, Interstate 90 access and the town’s major businesses and restaurants.

For more information on Prairie Meadows and other available properties in the area, contact Deb Saunders of Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty at (208) 755-3391 or email DSaunders@CBIdaho.com

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Let us know about more standout neighborhoods and developments to feature in an upcoming Neighborhood of the Week. Contact Tyler Wilson at twilson@cdapress.com.

Real Estate Agents, take advantage of Neighborhood of the Week by sending in your suggestions for featured areas, including sites outside the confines of Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Rathdrum and Hayden.