Stonebridge communities are built for families big and small

For Barbie and Patrick Shields, Stonebridge Meadows proved not only an ideal place to raise their two kids and a steady stream of foster children, but as a Darol Rodrock community, it also served as an inspiration for this amazing family.

“We just moved here in April,” Barbie said of the neighborhood at 16680 S. Lind Road, which is part of the larger Stonebridge development.

The biggest Rodrock community to date, Stonebridge consists of Stonebridge Meadows, Stonebridge Trails, Stonebridge Village and Stonebridge Park.

“Ann Knickrehm showed us this house, and we just fell in love with it,” Barbie said. “We were able to work with the builder to add an additional bedroom, so we have six bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths, giving us the space we need so the kids don’t drive each other crazy.”

Currently five foster children — plus the Shield’s two own adopted children — call Stonebridge Meadows home. More than 100 children have passed through their home this year alone. And the welcome they’ve received was simply fantastic, Barbie said.

“When we moved in, the neighbors were so welcoming,” she said. “We’ve had cul-de-sac barbeques, movie nights and we have the community pool and playgrounds, which is awesome. There are so many things for the kids to participate in!”

And the Stonebridge community held one very unexpected bonus that Barbie’s family won’t soon forget. “We met Darol Rodrock at an event in support of foster care this past year,” she said. “It was such an inspiration to the kids, meeting Darol and knowing he, too, came from the foster system and has found such success in life.”

The Shields family has also found the neighborhood school to be a boon, as some of the foster children who come through the house have educational challenges.

The school district was also of paramount importance to Stonebridge Trails homeowner and area pediatrician, Amy Voelker. Both of her daughters attend Prairie Creek Elementary School, where their grandmother, retired Olathe School District teacher, Carol Voelker, volunteers.

“The District’s academic programs are on pace with larger districts,” Carol said, “and it’s clear that the district is committed to ensuring that every child receives the education he or she needs. Prairie Creek has received the Governor’s Award for Excellence three times. I don’t think you can do any better than that.”

Still it’s not just families with young children who’ve come to love this Rodrock community. Ronnie and Carol Elmore moved to Stonebridge Meadows to be closer to their grown children.

“I like the pool, while my husband likes the trails and is looking forward to doing more bicycling from our neighborhood,” Carol said. “Also, I like the fact that the landscaping for the common areas is so well done. The black fence is especially attractive. Also, the houses are varied enough that it doesn’t just look like they were mass-produced.”

Carol said now that the weather has warmed, they’re especially interested in making use of all the amenities found in the larger Stonebridge community. “It gives us lots of options!”

A trail system links all the Stonebridge neighborhoods and offers residents an easy way to make use of the extended community’s impressive four pools and two richly appointed clubhouses complete with workout facilities. Overall, it boasts a junior Olympic-size pool and water slide; changing cabanas; pergola-covered grills; picnic areas; hard-surface sport court for basketball, tennis and volleyball; and several well-equipped children’s playgrounds.

“We were immediately impressed with all the amenities that this neighborhood has to offer,” agreed Katie George, whose family originally moved to Stonebridge Park for the area’s strong schools. “In fact, I’m on the social committee for the Rodrock Development Mom’s Council for Stonebridge Park.”

The Rodrock Development Moms Council is a concept created by Rodrock decades ago to help new neighborhoods get off to a great start. Annual year-round events such as Memorial weekend pool opening parties and holiday horse-drawn hayrides help new neighbors get to know each other and have fun.

When completed, Stonebridge will include approximately 1,800 homes, ranging in size from 1,500 to 3,500 square feet and in price from mid-$200,000 to $500,000-plus. With easy access to highways, high-end shopping, and entertainment, Stonebridge is ideally located. And with Heritage Park close by, residents can enjoy fishing, boating, bicycling and horseback riding trails, athletic fields, an off-leash dog park, and an 18-hole championship golf course and driving range.

It’s a community truly dedicated to families of all shapes and sizes, with award-winning schools, playgrounds, pools, clubhouses and more, all within an easy stretch of the legs.

This story was originally published June 28, 2014 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Stonebridge communities are built for families big and small."