Sylvan Park, Mountain View

A cross section of large two-story houses, low-rise apartment complexes and small townhouses turn up in unexpected corners all over Sylvan Park, the easternmost stop on Mountain View's map.

Residents describe Sylvan as a thriving neighborhood with its share of tranquil lanes, friendly neighbors and a cherished park.

Click the image to view a larger map

"It's a great neighborhood," said Lori Henderson, who along with her husband Bob has lived on Hedgerow Street since 1983. "Very compact, kind of into itself so much so that many people don't even know it exists. We live in a cul-de-sac so we don't have any cars coming down here."

Cozy side streets shoot right and left from Sylvan Avenue, the neighborhood's main artery. Denizens such as Henderson are proud of Sylvan Park's private outlook and regard it as the real charm that drew them here to raise children and eventually welcome newcomers to this close-knit community.

Henderson's neighbor Bob Olson and his wife moved to Sylvan from next-door Sunnyvale in 1995 looking for a bigger home. The house they live in today was the last on the list at the time of their hunt. "It was an affordable area but the real beauty of this neighborhood was that it was out of the way. It was like a hidden secret in the middle of Silicon Valley." Olson rated it as the best neighborhood he's lived in -- one that bonds over monthly potlucks and similar gatherings.

Sylvan Park facts:| CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Western Montessori Day School, 323 Moorpark Way; YMCA -- Slater, 325 Gladys Ave. FIRE STATION: No. 4, 229 N. Whisman Road PARKS: Sylvan Park, Sylvan Avenue and DeVoto Street POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: St. Stephan Lutheran School, 320 Moorpark Way PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mtn. View-Whisman School District -- Slater Elementary School, Crittenden Middle School; Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District -- Mountain View High School SHOPPING: Albertsons grocery store across El Camino Real MEDIAN 2007 HOME PRICE: $995,000 ($956,000-$1,200,000) # HOMES SOLD: 5 MEDIAN 2007 CONDO PRICE: $571,500 ($548,000-$599,000) # CONDOS SOLD: 3

Glen and Linda Eckols of Glenborough Drive echo similar sentiments. "We have children from two doors down who come and play. People stop and talk about the garden. This place looked a little bit like the neighborhood Beaver Cleaver would deliver newspapers to," said Glen who previously lived in San Jose and found his dream home overlooking Sylvan Park in 1993.

Linda, who recently retired as principal of Loyola School in Los Altos, feels right at home in a neighborhood with a mix of young families and empty nesters. "As you look towards your later life, you think you'll just move out of the Silicon Valley area. But where we live is such a thriving community that to think of moving somewhere else, I just don't think that's where I want to be."

On a typical Sunday afternoon, you can find garage doors pulled up, a stereo playing in the background and a car wash in progress. But the real excitement is found in the nine-acre grassy Sylvan Park. Dubbed the perfect picnic spot, visitors say Sylvan has the right balance of sunshine, shade and sports.

Casual strollers, joggers, bookworms, volleyball teams and dog walkers rarely leave it alone. Sylvan Park boasts four tennis courts where players from Mountain View and Sunnyvale regularly practice and compete.

Located on the intersection of Sylvan Avenue and El Camino Real is Camino Medical Group's new 250,000-square-foot medical facility, which opened doors in May. On the old Emporium site, the three-story building has drawn admiration for its 15-foot glass sculpture installation designed by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. "We're very proud of it. It is a wonderful addition and a plus to the community," said the Eckols.

-- Zunaira Durrani