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"We all refer to it almost as a hamlet," resident Ann Rossi says about her Woodside Heights neighborhood. "It has a lot of pride and is extremely community-oriented."

When Ms. Rossi moved to the area with her family 15 years ago, hers was one of the youngest families, she says. The demographics have since changed. Recent turnover of some of the original early '50s homes has brought many more young families into the neighborhood.

This last Halloween, Ms. Rossi estimates well over 50 local children trick-or-treated in Woodside Heights. As in years past, they met at one home and traveled in groups, stopping at a list of houses pre-arranged by the Woodside Heights Homeowners Association.

Association President John Rossi says traffic safety is important in this quiet country neighborhood; and he feels good about the improvements that have made, such as installation of lane lines, stop signs and speed limit signs.

Some people use the neighborhood as a cut-through to avoid congestion around Woodside High School. The same route — particularly the Eleanor Drive loop — also gets a lot of foot traffic from people wanting to exercise, walk their dogs, and push strollers. The traffic controls in place help slow down drivers on such well-traveled roads.

Anne MacDonald, an nine-year resident, says "Woodside Heights is like being in the country, yet close to town." The area is semi-country where she has seen lots of deer this year, as often as two or three times a week. Infrequently, one can hear coyotes.

Woodside Heights has a nice blend of new and old inhabitants. Social gatherings, such as the traditional summer barbeque and Christmas party, organized by the association pull the neighborhood together, says Mr. Rossi.

"It has a definite feel to it, it's very much a separate community," adds Ms. Rossi, "and we love it."


FACTS


CHILD CARE & PRESCHOOLS: Woodside Parents' Nursery School, 3154 Woodside Road, Woodside; Woodside Preschool, 3195 Woodside Road, Woodside

FIRE STATION: 3111 Woodside Road, Woodside

PARK: Huddart County Park, 1100 Kings Mountain Road, Woodside; Wunderlich County Park, 4040 Woodside Road, Woodside

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Woodside Heights Neighborhood Association, John Rossi, president

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Las Lomitas School District — Las Lomitas School, 299 Alameda de las Pulgas, Atherton; La Entrada School, 2200 Sharon Road, Menlo Park

Sequoia Union High School District — Woodside High School, 199 Churchill Avenue, Woodside

SHOPPING: Woodside Road, Woodside and Redwood City

MEDIAN 2008 HOME PRICE: $3,975,000 ($1,950,000-$6,000,000)

HOMES SOLD: 2

View the neighborhood map (PDF)

— Kate Daly