Bella Vista offers something for all ages

PHOTO SUBMITTED/MIKE MESSERLI Fox cubs and their mother lived underneath Messerli’s deck along Loch Lomond during spring months, frequently making appearances on the patio.
PHOTO SUBMITTED/MIKE MESSERLI Fox cubs and their mother lived underneath Messerli’s deck along Loch Lomond during spring months, frequently making appearances on the patio.

Tucked away in the forest of the Ozarks, Bella Vista is an area packed with scenic landscapes and spectacular wildlife. None of which are ever far out of reach.

Many residents begin their mornings with a fresh cup of coffee while overlooking a bold, green golf course or catching up on the latest in the newspaper along the shore of a lake.

Since its establishment in 1965, Bella Vista has continued to grow each year -- while still remaining true to the desire for a forested, natural environment. The village sets aside roughly 35 percent of the acreage for green space and amenities, and all the homes adjoin these common areas.

A green space is any type of common property beautified for public use such as: tennis courts, golf courses, walking trails, playgrounds and other amenities.

"The Cooper family has always been huge nature buffs," said Neff Basore, vice president of Cooper Communities Inc., and grandson of company founder and namesake John Cooper Sr.

Cooper Sr. was the innovative brain behind the development and preservation of Bella Vista. The delightful lives led here in the village are a direct result of his vision and his son's determination.

"My grandfather was really a stickler for trees. If we ever cut too many down, he'd be on the phone telling us about it," Basore said.

In 1991, the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Audubon Society honored CCI for its environmentally-friendly approach to development.

The 45-square-mile village is home to eight golf courses, seven lakes, six parks, at least two well-known waterfalls and a whole system of trails.

These features are not accidental. Developers worked tirelessly to showcase the natural beauty of the area while adding their own man-made wonders.

A variety of amenities amid a lush landscape of flora and fauna is one of the many benefits that drew in nearly 30,000 residents that call the area home.

"Bella Vista affords me the opportunity to live in the beauty of nature yet have all the conveniences of a 'big city' within a few minutes drive," resident Jo Lowrey said. "And the cost of living is so fabulous!"

Jeff Loverud and his family moved to Bella Vista two months ago, after exploring the country in search of a new location. He believes the neighbors and the nature are "second to none."

"The wonderfully friendly people and the unending natural beauty of the area set it apart," he said. "Oh, and all the opportunity for food, culture, nature."

Some choose to relocate seeking a more relaxed, peaceful lifestyle with a strong sense of community.

Christine Williams, who recently moved to Bella Vista from El Paso, Texas, finds the village to be a wonderful change of pace.

"Living surrounded by nature is the best and the friendliness of everyone in the area is totally awesome. I feel like I belong here. We never had that feeling in El Paso," Williams said. "I would describe living here as like being on a permanent vacation."

Still others call Bella Vista home for the safety and security it provides them. Kayla Ketron moved to the village from Rogers almost two months ago, following an increase in crime in her neighborhood.

"Right before we moved, there were a lot of property crimes happening on our street and some other things that made us feel extremely unsafe -- and we didn't even live on the bad side of town," Ketron said. "Since moving here, I have not heard a single siren. I love that we can feel comfortable raising our daughter here."

"She has so much fun because we get to go for more walks where she can actually walk versus being in her stroller because there's so much less traffic on our road. ... Plus, we have a squirrel that we feed on our deck that she loves to sit and watch," Ketron added.

No matter what draws you to Bella Vista, it offers something for those of all ages and walks of life once you're here.

Community on 07/20/2016