November 25, 2004

STREET SCENEMontego Court

A view of the valley from Montego Court

The residents of Montego Court share a secret every time they leave their homes—a spectacular view of Santa Clara valley. The court and its offshoot, Montego Drive, are the only two streets located off a section of Camden Avenue that creates an urban oasis with a stunning panorama, yet close to nature’s bounty for the families on both streets.

John and Kathy Jones moved to San Jose and their Almaden home on Montego Court 26 years ago from Pennsylvania and found a true paradise. They raised their children and now, their grandchildren visit the couple frequently.

“We’ve seen lots of children grow up here,” Kathy said as she was leaving to drive down the steep grade of her street. “People move or divorce and now, new, young families are moving in. Parents would drive up in vans and their kids used to skateboard down the street. And on July Fourth, cars would drive up to the top of the street and watch the fireworks downtown. The trees are bigger now and the view is blocked a bit from their growth but it’s still a really neat street.”

The Estates of Montevideo residences are large, with many tri-levels. Many of the 33-year-old Blackwell-built homes have second-floor balconies for watching sunsets over the valley. Manicured landscapes with mature vegetation are the norm. A number of the homes are in the process of improvements; many feature new intricately cut entrance doors, remodeling and garden upgrades. The latest home sale in the area was in September: a five-bedroom, three-bath house with 2,640 square feet, sold for $932,000.

Past the fenced backyards of the homes on Montego Court lies a greenbelt and beyond that, the Almaden Quicksilver County Park where residents enjoy hiking in the natural diversity of oak trees, California scrub and the wild animals who reside there.

“We’ve seen coyotes, deer and once, a mountain lion and then there were the cows from the dairy farm,” Kathy Jones continued. “Once we found a pig digging in our yard. He was digging in the dirt and you couldn’t see him—just the ground moving. I was so scared I let out a big scream.”

Bruce and Julie Hartman enjoy the hike up Montego Court and into the Quicksilver Park with their 8-year-old son, Isaac.

“I’ve seen cows, turkeys, deer and baby pigs,” Isaac said. “Once a large buck chased our dog. I like the July Fourth parties at the pool and swimming during the summer. And there’s the basketball court, too.”

The Montevideo Association cabana club is located on the corner to the entrance of Montego Court where residents enjoy barbecues, a tennis match, shooting rim shots or a splash in the swimming pool. There’s a newly built tot lot and a grassy area with park benches to watch your child or contemplate the beauty of nature.

“And it’s fully funded and maintained by the homeowners,” Julie Hartman said about the lush manicured vegetation and recreational commons. “We’ve enjoyed barbecues and birthday parties there.”

Ron and Helen McKenna have resided on Montego Court for seven years. Their first experience was a rather startling one.

“When we first moved in, we found a rattlesnake curled up at the doorstep,” Helen remembered. “They can spring one and a half feet their length, so we didn’t take any chances. We put a box over him and anchored that down then called Animal Control to pick him up. The police even showed up.”

Helen continued that only one other time did she see an indigenous California rattler.

“I saw a huge one slithering across the street as I drove down the street once,” she continued. “But that was it. Normally, you see wild turkeys and once a mountain lion in the area past the backyard fence. He just walked by. It really is interesting living here. It’s very private and nice. I’ve met people at the pool during the summer when I take my three grandchildren to play. People are very friendly there.”

Montego Court: where the residents are enjoying the best of Almaden with the beauty of nature and the camaraderie of good neighbors.

—By Jeanne C. Lewis