This is the 259th most frequent Japanese word.
近く
"Nearby" or "close."
Here, '近く' is used as a noun, indicating proximity to a location.
私の家の近くに公園があります。
There is a park near my house.
In this context, '近く' modifies the verb 'to be' implicitly, suggesting closeness as an attributive quality.
駅に近くて便利です。
It is close to the station, so it is convenient.
Here, '近く' carries the meaning 'soon' or 'in the near future' and functions adverbially.