| Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood
Park Triangle, Menlo Park
The 240 homes in the neighborhoods of Suburban Park, Lorelei Manor and Flood Triangle are three distinct neighborhoods linked by geography. Flood Park, 23 acres dotted with oak and bay trees, is the centerpiece of the three communities enclosed by Marsh Road, Bay Road and Highway 101.
Michael Murphy has lived in Lorelei Manor for about 10 years. His home, as many in the neighborhood, was built in the early '50's and has been expanded.
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"You can still recognize the original sub-division style as you walk around the area," he says. "Many of the houses have added family rooms and/or second stories."
Kitty Craven, a resident for over 40 years says, "When we first moved, the homes were considered very modern, with an Eichler influence."
Ms. Craven has been active in the neighborhood association. Through the years the association, as the one in Suburban Park, has been a key element in organizing social get-togethers such as block parties, holiday celebrations and book clubs. Both associations play a strong role in advocating for neighborhood interests.
| Suburban Park/Lorelei Manor/Flood Park
Triangle facts:
CHILDCARE & PRE SCHOOLS: James B. Flood School, 320 Sheridan Ave., Menlo Park
PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Menlo Park City Elementary School District -- Laurel School, 95 Edge Road, Atherton; Encinal School, 195 Encinal Avenue, Menlo Park; Hillview Middle School, 1100 Elder Avenue, Menlo Park Sequoia Union High School District -- Menlo Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton
SHOPPING: Marsh Manor
FIRE STATION: 300 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park
MEDIAN HOME PRICE: Lorelei Manor: $829,000 Suburban Park: $1,010,000 ($700,125-$2,066,000) Flood Triangle: $977,000 ($787,250-$1,300,000)
NO. OF HOMES SOLD: Lorelei Manor: 1 Suburban Park:21 Flood Triangle: 14
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS: Lorelei Manor: Judith Holiber, president, 650-321-1331 Suburban Park: Steve Wong |
Current hot topics are the proposed Dumbarton Rail Project as well as a Hetch Hetchy repair project that impacts the greenbelt at the entrance to the area. Lorelei Manor fought for and won a zoning overlay that is specific to neighborhood needs. The typically 1/8-acre lots are smaller than those in most of Menlo Park.
Steve Wong lives next door to his parents in Suburban Park. "I'm one of at least five 'returning children,'" he says, describing the special pull of his close-knit community.
Suburban Park was established in l945 and was developed as housing for military personnel. Remodeling and rebuilding have introduced a more eclectic look as well as larger homes.
Kate Kennedy loves raising her children in Suburban Park. "There's a real support system in the neighborhood," she says.
"Our neighborhood association also does a lot of substantive work," says Ms. Kennedy. She says the Community Response Emergency Team, trained by the Menlo Park Fire Department, is an outgrowth of neighbors caring for neighbors.
When Mitchell Caldwell moved to Flood Triangle in 1977 he was "looking for affordable housing that was larger than a phone booth."
Caldwell's house backs up to Flood Park, a quiet neighbor. However, he says the noise from nearby 101 is not completely deadened by the sound wall. Flood Triangle also has through traffic, which the cul-de-sac configurations of Lorelei Manor and Suburban Park discourage.
Harold Smiley, a retired supervisor for the Bohannon Corporation, which developed most of the neighborhood, bought his lot in l946 and built his own 1,500-square-foot home.
Mr. Smiley says that the neighborhood association, active in the past is somewhat dormant now. But that hasn't dampened neighborhood cohesiveness. After a recent operation, his neighbors rallied to his assistance, and he describes the area as "very friendly."
--Susan Golovin |
