Street Scene: Lillian Way

At any time of the day or night, there's almost always a frantic “go-home” crowd gunning their SUVs into the Sunrise-Almaden neighborhood from Almaden Expressway onto Redmond Drive.

That's why it's chancy to slow down or suddenly brake for any reason other than to avoid a “cheeky” pedestrian who dares to be crossing the street. And don't even think about turning into your driveway or down one of many cross streets along the winding connector.

It's unclear just why those streets are actually there, but if someone is behind you on Redmond, it absolutely does not matter. Most drivers using Redmond Avenue are hell-bent on reaching their destination five minutes ago (at least) and it's more than likely that you are in their way… darn you.

If for no other reason than to just get out of the traffic fray, consider making an immediate right turn just past the stop at Cloverhill Drive onto leafy, inviting Lillian Way.

A convenient thoroughfare to Almaden Road, Wallace Drive and several other local streets, a drive or stroll along dreamy Lillian Way is a bit like a trip through TV Land.

Expect to catch Wally and the Beav on their way home from school. Or swing by the perfect All-American home of Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, as they clip their perfect roses in their perfect front yard (it's clear that Ricky and David live just a mile or two away, each with their own perfect home and family).

In real life, Lillian Way “has it goin' on.”

For instance, at the first turn off Redmond, a basketball hoop is put up practically in the gutter. Kids of all ages play pick-up games right in the street, just like the old days.

And, there's at least one tree for each home on its quarter-mile stretch, some have two or three.

There's actually one starkly landscaped home with no trees in the front yard at all, but from its backyard, a tall, skinny palm tree sticks high into the sky, as if to be sure it makes the count.

One family home is already set up for Halloween trick-or-treaters. A stuffed witch doll sits in their driveway, patiently waiting to spook a pack of costumed kids.

Like most Almaden Valley residents, those living along Lillian Way are very concerned about speeders who barrel along, sometimes taking the street's tight curves at “a wicked pace.”

Longtime resident Leon Harris is the only Lillian Way homeowner who attended last week's town hall meeting regarding speeding in the Sunrise-Almaden district.

80-year old Harris says he's “had it with speeding idiots who live around the corner.” He won't “name names” but he says the local police have been alerted.

Vice-Mayor Pat Dando attended last week's meeting at the Almaden Library and has promised to look into changes regarding traffic flow along Redmond Drive and Camden Avenue.

During the meeting, Harris suggested the installation of median strips to help keep speeders from making dangerous passes along winding curves on Redmond. He also advocates a “left turn only” ordinance from Camden Court onto Redmond Avenue as a way of keeping traffic accidents to a minimum.

Harris is a lifetime resident of the Almaden Valley and, as a result, has seen many changes. “It's really no longer the place I've called home because it's so crowded. But, I guess you have to change with the times and I'll just keep adding my two cents worth from time to time,” he says with a smile.

Even though Harris was the only Lillian Way attendee at the traffic meeting, he's not the only one who cares about quality of life in the middle-class neighborhood.

Candy and Darryl S. didn't want to give their last name, but do say they “like the quiet neighborhood where everyone is so kind and helpful with one another.”

They mention their next-door neighbor's constant, dependable assistance with their two preschool-age children.

Mrs. “S” says, “We look out for each other here. We've never lived in a neighborhood where everyone is so special. We never want to leave.”

One three-bedroom, two-bath home is currently for sale on Lillian at a cost of just under $540,000, which undercuts the median home price of $565,000.

– By Barbara Luis.