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Two roughly triangular neighborhoods pointing to each other from opposite sides of the 101 freeway, The Willows and Belle Haven offer diversity and have traditionally been havens for people seeking relief from the area's pricier homes.

But gentrification is changing both areas, while preserving much of what people have come here for: a mix of people, income levels and ethnic diversity.

The Willows, bordered by Willow Road, Highway 101 and East O'Keefe Street, Middlefield Road and San Francisquito Creek, was known as North Palo Alto following the Depression. Developer Si Simon built a series of "Simon Built" homes along Central Avenue. In 1953, after the incorporation of Menlo Park, and with its contemporary borders, the area was given its present name.

Bruce and Christine Schmidt have lived in the neighborhood for six years. Mr. Schmidt says that he likes the mixture of homes — there's no tract feeling in most of the area — and he enjoys the mature trees and the rambling, twisty roads.

"You see lights going on and families having dinner at seven and toys in the yards. It's friendly — not gated and fenced," he says.

Gary Smith has lived on O'Connor Street since 1981. This December he celebrates the nineteenth anniversary of his Willows business, Menalto Cleaners, which is located in the same mini-strip as La Hacienda Market, Caffe Espresso and Gloria's Party, at the corner of Menalto and Gilbert.

"Our neighborhood comes together to discuss and resolve. This neighborhood does not mess around," Mr. Smith says.

He adds, "It's a wonderful place. It's warm, friendly, and diverse — racially and culturally." He also notes that people are tolerant of sexual orientation as well. There is a moms and babies group, an earthquake preparedness committee, a Willows traffic group and several Yahoo groups.

Belle Haven is the only housing project undertaken in this country during the Great Depression. Its single family homes, apartments and duplexes built by Bohannon were originally conceived as an affordable housing development for the white working class.

Nearly 70 years later, the area has diversified — first, by African Americans in the 1950s, then by Hispanics and Pacific Islanders in the 1980s. By 2000, Hispanics became the dominant ethnic group, but the neighborhood is still truly multi-ethnic.

A 540-acre triangle bordered by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board Railroad to the north, Willow Road on the east and Highway 101 on the south Belle Haven remains predominantly residential, but with more public amenities than previously built in.

Parks, schools and community centers enhance the neighborhood. And a small shopping center is now at the corner of Willow Road and Hamilton Avenue. Residents now enjoy restaurants and services at nearby Sun Microsystems.

Bessie Mitchell has lived on Ivy Drive in Belle Haven since 1956. The original look of the neighborhood has been changing.

"Lots of people have remodeled and most of them have added on to their homes," says Ms. Mitchell, who added a bedroom, bathroom and carport to her home in 1979.

She enjoys her central location and the fact that the bus is only a block away, she says. She also takes advantage of the Menlo Park Senior Club, which meets at the Onetta Harris Community Center on Terminal Avenue.

Harry and Sheryl Bims moved to their new, two-story, four-bedroom Chilco Street home as newlyweds in 2001. It is one of 40 new homes nearby.

Ms. Bims likes the close proximity to Dumbarton Bridge and is looking forward to the new police and City Service Center at Willow and Ivy, she says.


FACTS


CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Belle Haven Child Development Center, 410 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park; Belle Haven After-school Program, 415 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park; Family Connections, 415 Ivy Drive, #14, Menlo Park

FIRE STATION: The Willows: 300 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park; Belle Haven: 1467 Chilco St., Menlo Park

PARKS: The Willows: Willow Oaks Park, Willow Road near Gilbert Avenue, Menlo Park; Belle Haven: Kelly Park, Terminal Avenue near Del Norte Avenue, Menlo Park; Market Place Park, Ivy Drive and Market Place, Menlo Park

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Willows: Willows_neighborhood@yahoogroups.com; Belle Haven: Contact Matt Henry, 650-325-1093

PRIVATE SCHOOLS: The Willows: German-American School of San Francisco, 275 Elliott Drive, Menlo Park; Belle Haven: Beechwood School, 50 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The Willows: Menlo Park City Elementary School District — Laurel School, 95 Edge Road, Atherton; Encinal School, 195 Encinal Ave., Menlo Hillview Middle School, 1100 Elder Ave., Menlo Park

Sequoia Union High School District — Menlo-Atherton High School, 555 Middlefield Road, Atherton

Belle Haven: Ravenswood City School District — Belle Haven Elementary School, 415 Ivy Drive, Menlo Park

Sequoia Union High School District — Menlo-Atherton, Carlmont or Woodside High School

SHOPPING: The Willows: Willow Road; Belle Haven: Corner of Willow Road and Hamilton Avenue

MEDIAN 208 HOME PRICE: The Willows: $1,300,000 ($400,000-$1,600,000);

Belle Haven: $399,500 ($329,000-$494,900)

HOMES SOLD: The Willows: 32

Belle Haven: 13

MEDIAN 2008 CONDOMINIUM PRICE: The Willows: $489,000 ($456,000-$655,000)

NO. OF CONDOMINIUMS SOLD: The Willows: 3

View the neighborhood map (PDF)