When locals think of Willow Glen, most will picture the charming historic homes and bustling downtown strip, but this attractive community extends beyond the historic blocks. The Willow Glen Neighborhood Association defines the Central and Historic Willow Glen area apart from the Greater Willow Glen Neighborhood and Planning Area, roughly 10.4 square miles with approximately 82,000 residents. One of the scenic communities of the greater Willow Glen area is Doerr Park.
Doerr Park
Doerr Park, sometimes called Doerr-Steindorf or simply Doerr, is within the 95124 zip code of San Jose, not far from the Cambrian border. The boundaries of this community are Curtner Ave, Meridian Ave, Foxworthy Ave, and Leigh Ave (See it on this Google Map). It is marked by tidy homes and yards with neat green lawns and airy street trees. Towards the center of this highly walkable neighborhood sits a nearly 12 acre city park. Doerr Park is a sunny community park with expansive lawns, open tree groves, picnic benches with barbeque stations, two magnificent playgrounds for different age groups (one of them has 3-tiered climbing towers and long slides for the older children!), a basketball court, softball field, four tennis courts, and restrooms. The park is very popular!
This neighborhood is accessible, too! There’s shopping and an office complex at the corner of Foxworthy Ave and Meridian, with a Grocery Outlet, gas station, and bank. It’s very close to more shopping including restaurants, Target, Home Depot, and more. For commuters, it’s only a 6 minute drive to 85, 17, and Almaden Expy, and there are bus lines which run along Curtner and Leigh.
There are a few possible negatives to consider, however. Some areas are beside easements for high voltage power lines, though a large portion of the easement connecting to the park has recently been transformed into a community trail. Not all phone lines are under ground, which might be considered an eyesore by some.
Schools
Doerr Park is far from uniform when it comes to schools. Much of Doerr is within Willow Glen High’s (7/10) enrollment zone, part of San Jose Unified (SJU), though depending on the address residents may be assigned to Branham High School of Campbell Union (8/10). Middle schoolers will attend either Willow Glen Middle school (SJU, 5/10) or Price Charter Middle (Cambrian, 8/10). Elementary school assignments go to Schallenberger (SJU, 5/10), Fammatre (Cambrian, 6/10), Bagby (Cambrian, 7/10), or Booksin (SJU, 8/10). The ratings above from 1-10 out of 10 are from GreatSchools.org, and the Cambrian schools are very sought after and considered a great value.
Doerr Park Homes
There are 1,255 single family residences in the Doerr Park neighborhood. Built between 1953 – 2010, homes have an average age of 60 years old with most of the neighborhood built between the late 1950s through the 1960s. Lot size ranges from 4,734 – 16,027 SqFt, with an average of 6,800 SqFt. Home sizes range from 1,045 – 3,119 SqFt with an average of 1,758 SqFt, with 1-8 bedrooms, although the majority are between 3-5 (there was only one home with 8 and with 1 bedroom each). Most homes have two full bath, but some have been upgraded to 3 or 4.
Since January of 2019 to date (late May 2020) there have been 53 single family home sales in Doerr Park. Sale price ranged from $905,000 – $1,685,000 with an average sale price of $1,288,774. Of these, 8 sold below $1 mil, which were 3-4 bedroom homes built in the 1950s, all 1,300 SqFt or smaller, and likely in need of some work. Nine have sold so far this year, only one of which was under $1 mil, and the average sale price for 2020 between January and April was $1,358,056.
Willow Glen Place Condos
There is one condo complex called Willow Glen Place, built in 2007, with 204 residences at the intersection of Meridian Ave and Paseo Ln, close to the shopping, and within the San Jose Unified School District. Unit sizes range from 1 bed / 1 bath at 971 SqFt to 4 bed / 4 bath at 2,438 SqFt. Lot size ranged from 882 SqFt – 2037 SqFt. Ten have sold between 2019 – 2020 so far. Of those, the sale range was $770,000 – $2,400,000, with an average sale of $1,113,800.
Doerr Park Duplexes
Within Doerr Park there are 39 residential duplexes. Doerr Park duplexes are found on the busy borders of the neighborhood including Leigh Ave, Ross Ave, Foxworthy Ave, and a small cul-de-sac off Leigh Ave called Mesita Way which is entirely comprised of duplexes. Most are part of the Foxleigh Glen subdivision and are assigned to Cambrian schools and Branham High. Building sizes range from 1,440 – 2,643 SqFt. Average 1,928 SqFt, and lot sizes range from 6,071 – 11,902 SqFt, averaging 7,741 SqFt. The average age of duplexes is 58, all built between 1958 – 1974, but mostly in the late ‘50s – late ‘60s. One sold in 2019, and two in 2018. During that time, sales ranged from $1,173,000 – $1,400,000, averaging $1,323,333.
Neighborhood Cabaña Clubs
There are two community cabana clubs in this area: the Kirkwood Swim Club at 2531 Meridian Ave, at the corner of Harte Dr next to the church, and the Park Wilshire Improvement Association at 2575 Park Wilshire Dr next to Doerr Park.
The Park Wilshire Improvement Association (PWIA) is a neighborhood swim club adjacent to the park. Members have access to the club pool, swim lessons, and community events such as the 4th of July neighborhood party and outdoor summer movie nights. Residents of the immediate area have the option to join, and while the automatic membership offer does not extend through the entire Doerr neighborhood, non-residents can join a wait list to become members.
The Kirkwood Swim Club is very similar, with membership more readily offered to the immediate neighbors and a wait list process for others to join. It’s an affordable community pool with clubhouse hosting a variety of seasonal events such as the January Polar Bear Swim, and is reservable for birthdays and parties.
