Idlewild
Surrounded by nature
Walkability 0.9/10·Schools 6.0/10
If you're heading out there, the first thing you'll notice is how close Camp Lake actually is—you can walk to it in about seven minutes, and there's a boat launch just over half a mile away if you've got a kayak or small watercraft on your mind. The subdivision itself spreads across five acres with lots averaging a fifth of an acre each, giving you enough space without the sprawl, and homes here run around $438K. You're about 28 minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, which is close enough that you don't feel stranded but far enough that the area has its own quieter rhythm. The nearest grocery is a few miles out, and restaurants cluster around the 2.4-mile mark, but Camp Lake Park is right there—literally a short walk—so you've got immediate outdoor access without having to think twice about it. Schools fall under Sparta Area Schools, and the whole setup feels like you're in the woods without actually being in the middle of nowhere.
Why people love it here
Lake life
- Camp Lake within walking distance
- 10 parks within 1 mile
- Whit Lake: 8 min bike
- Camp Lake Boating Access Site: 9 min drive
Explore Idlewild
Same name, different focus — Idlewild is also covered as:
- Idlewild Subdivision — the subdivision and its homes
- Idlewild Community — community details
Flood Risk
None
Not in flood zone
Nearest Park
Camp Lake Park
0.4 mi
Parks Nearby
10
within 1 mile
Nearest Lake
Camp Lake
0.2 mi
Based on 2 rated schools nearby
Range: 5/10 to 7/10
School District: Sparta Area Schools
Walkability
Car-dependent
Overall walkability score out of 10
Based on actual walk/bike/drive times to nearby amenities via Mapbox
Camp Lake Boating Access Site
Whit Lake
Unnamed beach
Camp Lake Launch
Crime in Idlewild is reported at the city level, not the neighborhood level. The FBI doesn't publish reliable crime rates for individual neighborhoods, and within any community crime varies street to street. For an accurate, comparable picture, see the jurisdiction-wide figures for Kent County.
Kent County crime & safety stats →Association and local-government details are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and state registries, and can change. Confirm directly with the association or municipality before relying on them.
Solar potential
~$887/yr in electricity from a typical rooftop solar system
Produces ~6,473 kWh/yr · offsets ~62% of a typical home's use
Algoma Sanitary District / private well
Algoma Sanitary District serves water/sewer in pockets (incl. Algoma-Plainfield system); rural on private well.
Algoma Sanitary District / individual septic
Sanitary district + Camp Lake Sewer in serviced areas; rural on septic.
Resident-arranged private hauler
Algoma Township Fire Department
Serves ~12,143 in 33 sq mi; 2 stations; full-time chief + 3 FT + 28 paid-on-call.
Services for Algoma · Source: algomasd.org
Utility, solar, and service details for Idlewild are compiled from public records, municipal sites, and NREL / U.S. data.gov, and can change. Electric/gas can vary by address — confirm with the provider before relying on them.
🛒 Grocery(3)
🍕 Restaurants(19)
Chase N Dogs
Restaurant
Palermo Pizza Sparta
Restaurant
Angela's Pizza
Restaurant
Maxine's Family Restaurant
Restaurant
Brick Haus Brews
Restaurant
+14 more within 5 miles
☕ Coffee(7)
+4 more within 5 miles
🍺 Bars(6)
GR/Sparta Moose Lodge #50
Bar
Angela's Italian Restaurant
Bar
Cellar Brewing Company
Pub
+3 more within 5 miles
🏫 Schools(10)
Myers School
Christian Hill School
Holy Family School
Block School
+5 more within 5 miles
🌳 Parks(4)
+1 more within 5 miles
🐕 Dog Parks(2)
🚴 Trails(1)
White Pine Trail
Bike Path
⛵ Boat Launches(3)
Boat Launch
Boat Launch
Boat Launch
🚌 Transit(1)
Transit Stop
💊 Pharmacies(1)
Rite Aid
Pharmacy
📚 Libraries(1)
Sparta Township Library and Community Enrichment Center
Frequently asked about Idlewild
- What schools serve Idlewild?
- Idlewild is served by Sparta Area Schools. Its highest-rated assigned school is Sparta Senior High School (9/10).
- Is Idlewild walkable?
- Idlewild scores 0.9/10 for walkability — a measure of walking, biking, and driving access to groceries, dining, parks, schools, and transit.