March 04, 2005

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Palo Alto Online

Southgate

by Molly Tanenbaum

W hen Maryellen Johnson moved to Palo Alto from Seattle less than a year ago with her husband and two young children, she received quite a warm reception.

"We were embraced with welcome cards and invitations to dinner," Johnson said.

No, the Johnsons didn't move to Stepford. They discovered Southgate, what 40-year resident Jennifer Hagan calls "one of those best-kept secrets in Palo Alto, that you don't want to tell anybody."

The close-knit, sociable atmosphere of Southgate, the tiny neighborhood tucked away next to Palo Alto High School, is what residents feel makes the area special.

"The neighborhood has a sense of fellowship and community about it," Johnson said.

Second to the friendliness of their neighbors, Southgate residents prize their prime location, bordered by the Caltrain tracks, Churchill Avenue, El Camino Real and Park Boulevard. Walking distance from several shopping areas, Stanford University and public transportation, Southgate residents are never at a loss for things to do. Both Palo Alto train stations and buses running down El Camino are nearby, allowing Johnson's husband to bike to the bullet train for his daily San Francisco commute.

Since moving in, the Johnsons have frequented Stanford sporting events and lectures, brunched at Hobee's in Town and Country Village and shopped on California Avenue, accessing all activities on foot or on bike.

Residents also appreciate Southgate's kid-friendly, safe surroundings. "My kids feel safe here knowing that the neighbors know them," Johnson said.

Children have fun in nearby Peers Park, and walk or bike to their nearby public schools.

What's more, parents can feel at ease when their kids play on the narrow, tree-lined streets because Southgate receives very little through-traffic. Only accessible from El Camino and Churchill, the contained neighborhood ensures a safe, peaceful environment.

"Years ago, a police guy told me that there was low crime because they didn't have an easy escape," said Karen McNay, 38-year Southgate resident and local real estate agent.

The neighborhood's design is an homage to its previous owners, the Stanfords. Southgate is located at the southern entrance to Stanford University, but was never part of the campus.

The unusual neighborhood comes equipped with two pedestrian alleyways between the homes so that residents can easily walk or bike to the university, according to Hagan.

McNay, who lives on Mariposa Street next to one of the walkways, calls them "dogways" because she observes her neighbors strolling along with canine company.

One of Southgate's claims to fame is construction by Glenn "Pop" Warner of Pop Warner football. Warner lived in Southgate while coaching Stanford football in the 1920s and 30s. He spent his spare time building several Southgate homes featuring redwood timber, arched windows, crystal doorknobs and other design luxuries, according to Hagan, who resides in one of the Warner homes.

Many other Southgate homes were built in the 1940s, and residents tend to remodel and add second stories as opposed to tearing them down, McNay said.

Southgate's residents mostly used to reflect its architecture: older and settled in. Now, the community welcomes increasing numbers of new families with young children.

"People don't move out very often. It's really established," McNay added.

Cozy Southgate is one of few neighborhoods in Palo Alto without a neighborhood association; neighbors recently discussed founding one but deemed a formal organization unnecessary for the small community. Instead, Jim McFall, 20-year Southgate resident, initiated an e-mail list to communicate with neighbors.

The lack of a formal organization does not prevent neighbors from getting together. Southgate residents gather for yearly Memorial Day block parties and other festivities.

Southgate's inhabitants have few complaints, if any. Proximity to Palo Alto High School can create traffic and noise, but McFall said, "Overall, Paly's been a good neighbor and been a plus for the neighborhood."

Even residing near the Caltrain tracks doesn't seem to faze Southgate residents. "I'm sure that they're running but I just don't hear them," McNay said.

However, the few street entrances and exits to the neighborhood can add time to the morning commute; those headed to work must wait in line to exit onto Churchill and El Camino.

For Southgate residents, enjoying the serene ambiance and community feel of the enclosed, yet well-located neighborhood is worth tolerating a little extra morning traffic.

"It's a dog-walking, neighbor-waving neighborhood," Hagan said.
Southgate facts @facthead:CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS (NEARBY): @fact:Casa de Bambini Montessori School, 457 College Ave.; Escondido Kids' Club, 890 Escondido Road; Walter Hays Kids' Club,1525 Middlefield Road @facthead:FIRE STATION: @fact:No. 6, 711 Serra St. on the Stanford campus @facthead:LIBRARIES: @fact:Main Library, 1213 Newell Road; and College Terrace branch, 2300 Wellesley St. @facthead:PARK: @fact:Alexander Peers Park, 1899 Park Blvd. @facthead:POST OFFICE: @fact: Cambridge, 265 Cambridge Ave. @facthead:PUBLIC SCHOOLS: @fact: Walter Hays Elementary School, Escondido Elementary School, Jordan Middle School, Palo Alto High School @facthead:SHOPPING: @fact:Town & Country Village; California Avenue

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