Someone should probably take away my “Idaho Native” certification. In a moment of exhaustion, and let’s face it, laziness, I had to Google “grouse” in anticipation of writing this Neighborhood of the Week on Hayden’s Grouse Meadows.

It’s probably no surprise to anyone that the movie review guy (Fridays in the Coeur d’Alene Press!) isn’t much of an outdoorsman. Hey, at least I figured out how the street names in the Grouse Meadows are also birds — Tanager, Cardinal, Heron, etc.

Let’s forget my lack of bird knowledge and get back to Grouse Meadows, which is located on the Hayden side of Prairie Avenue, east of Ramsey Road. The proximity to major amenities at Highway 95 is a major asset, though residents can also utilize Ramsey to head into Coeur d’Alene, or west on Prairie for a swift jaunt to Post Falls.

There’s also that newish Jifi Stop at Prairie and Ramsey that is a convenient spot to get gas — I used to live near there and would have utilized it all the time. There’s your other fun fact about me for the day.

Consisting of more than 200 homes, Grouse Meadows boasts lot sizes of about a quarter to half an acre in a family-friendly setting. Homeowners and renters can stay up to date on area happenings and neighborhood news at the website, www.MyGMOA.org. The site provides a convenient listing of neighborhood rules and standards, and even provides helpful information about nearby CityLink bus routes. As far as neighborhood websites go, it’s one of the best in our area.

Grouse Meadows is just east of Stoddard Park, a Hayden city park that opened in 2014. The 2-acre space includes the city’s arboretum, as well as rentable spaces in the form of The Pasture, Silo Stage area and a picnic shelter. Stoddard Park is also home to the Chomper Cafe.

A couple of active listings in Grouse Meadows include a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home with just over 1,000 square feet listed for $220,000. A three-bedroom, two-bathroom home with more than 1,600 square feet is listed at just under $240,000. Both of those listed homes were built in 1996, which is what you can expect from the rest of the neighborhood.

For those looking for some more space, there are a few more options currently listed in the Stoddard Meadows and Strawberry Fields neighborhoods to the west in Hayden. That extra space is going to cost you, as prices of active listings shoot up significantly.

Go to www.MyGMOA.org to check out the Grouse Meadows Owners’ Association website, and contact a real estate agent for more information on buying in the neighborhood. If you don’t have someone in mind, why not try one of our wonderful Press advertisers? Tell them I sent you, just don’t mention the “grouse” thing from earlier.

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Let us know about standout neighborhoods and developments to feature in an upcoming Neighborhood of the Week. Contact Tyler Wilson at [email protected].

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.