Feb 12, 2004

Street Scene: Claywood Way

By Candy Richter
Staff Writer

Nestled up against the bucolic backdrop of the old Rancho San Vicente lands is what some consider one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in all of Almaden Valley.

Part of the Woodside neighborhood track, Claywood Way is located just North of the Harry Road and Almaden Expressway intersection.

All it takes is one westward glance to see why this area has inspired such loyalty in its residents. Close to Quicksilver Park and a plethora of trails and hiking areas, Claywood Way offers both the security of a neighborhood and the freedom of rural living.

“When we moved in 1981, these were new houses,” says Randy Winn one of the original residents of Claywood. “This was a very countrified part of the town and there was a large farm at the end of the street. When we moved in, we expected that farm to eventually become more houses, but it’s stayed, and that’s wonderful.”

Randy and Kathy Winn raised their family on Claywood and have watched the neighborhood grow through one generation and now are seeing the cycle start all over again.

“This is a great place to raise a family,” says Winn. “The children that were here when we came have all grown up and it’s nice to see the new families with younger children moving in. Having lots of laughter and children playing is an aspect we don’t want to lose.”

Although the street doesn’t have any “official “ holiday or special event gatherings during the year, the Woodside Homeowners Association does sponsor social and community events throughout the year. “We do occasionally have neighbors get together from time to time,” explains Winn, “But there’s no set event.”

It is the Homeowners Association that has rallied the residents of Claywood and the surrounding community to participate in an annual May clean up of the surrounding thoroughfares and open areas, and has hosted both an annual fall Ice Cream Social, held at near-by Caravel Park, and docent trips through Quicksilver Park..

“We all come out to the clean up and visit with each other as we go along,” recalls Winn. There is a lot of good neighborhood pride. We raised our children here and now our grandchildren come to visit,” Winn says. “Our children don’t want us to move because they have such fond memories of growing up here.””

According to Nancy Soule, herself an 18-year resident of Claywood and long-time Association Board member, it was the quiet and secluded locale and excellent schools that attracted her family to the neighborhood - that, and the added attraction of the zebras that ran free on the open lands at the end of the block. “Mr. Norton raised zebras,” she explains. “Now you can see donkeys running around. There are so many wonderful places to go walking. People are always out with their kids, their dogs, and their bikes. It’s a definite plus.”

According to Winn, more important than the area’s unparalleled quality of its natural resources is the unparalleled quality of its neighbors. “More than the scene, it’s the people that make this neighborhood so great,” says Winn. “We have a very diversified group, from all nationalities that live here. We have about a quarter of original owners and many new families with children. It is a good mix.”

As one of the new families with small children on the block, Jim and Jennifer Cunneen appreciate the friendly, welcoming environment of Claywood Way.

“We’ve only lived here about a year and we already know quite a few of our awesome neighbors,” says Jennifer. “Our neighbors have a basketball hoop and the older kids have taught the younger ones to play. We really like the “feel” of the street. It’s the right size, the people are so nice, the creek and trails are close, so we can take lots of walks. Jennifer sums it up with “It’s right by the country, but still in the city. We have the best of both worlds,”

Built in 1981, the Claywood Way and the surrounding tracts consists of both single story and two story homes, ranging from 1800 square feet to nearly 3000 square feet in the larger floor plans. Prices for this area range from $750,000 to $950,000. Greystone Elementary, Bret Harte middle School and Leland High School serve this community.