March 10, 2006

Street SceneBelgrove Circle

By Michelle Hecht
Staff Writer

For the Sifflet family, lending your neighbor a hand has an entirely different meaning.

The four, five and six bedroom homes on Belgrove Circle could now sell for $800,000 to $920,000 if the residents chose to move. However, happy with the spacious yards and close-knit community, many never plan to leave. Photo by Michelle Hecht

“When they say it takes a village to raise a child, that’s what we did,” said Ann Sifflet, a resident on Evergreen’s Belgrove Circle.

Ann and her husband, Leo, moved here in 1980, raising two sons, now ages 18 and 22. Most of the residents on this quiet street arrived as young families in the 1980s.

According to Ann, there were at least 30 to 40 children, but it seemed like hundreds.

“In the ‘80s, 90 percent of all the mothers were home, so we raised each other’s kids,” she said.

These kids are now teenagers and adults, but frequently come back to revisit a stable childhood of neighborhood gatherings and roller hockey in the street.

There are fewer children now, but residents carry on a yearly Fourth of July celebration with an inflatable bounce house, cotton candy and face painting. The main attractions are a potluck barbecue and parade.

“The kids decorate their bikes and we just walk around the block while a police officer escorts us,” said Ann. “Then he drops us off and it’s party time.”

A community built around family unites the residents.

“There’s a real strong sense of bonding,” said Joan Burchfiel, a 20-year resident.

“That’s what brought us all together and now we’re all really good friends,” added Ann.

The Sifflet family counts Burchfiel as one of them, as well as Art and Anne Hall. A few houses down the street, the Halls moved in 22 years ago when it was a rural area of open fields.

“It was quieter,” said Art.

Bringing up four children – now 24, 22, 21 and 11 – the Halls moved here for better schools and a bigger house. The cultural makeup of the community also attracted them.

“When we came to this neighborhood,” said Art, “it was very ethnically diverse and has even gotten more so.”

“It’s so amazing how diverse this neighborhood is,” added Ann. “My worse nightmare is not having diversity.”

The community has a small-town feel where residents watch out for one another. Besides bringing meals to sick neighbors, they look out for each other’s safety.

“If somebody sees something that looks unusual, they’ll poke their head over the fence,” said Art. With few people moving out, “the population is stable, so you recognize the cars.” However, this neighborhood has seen little crime.

Belgrove Circle resident Patrick Burchfiel, 21, and his friend play hockey. Burchfiel was one of a handful of youngsters who grew up playing on this street. Photo by Michelle Hecht

Art adds that residents can count on one another to borrow a tool, someone’s pickup truck or to pick someone’s brain.

Real estate agents often approach the residents to sell their homes, but few ever do. The extensive yards, unusual with today’s new homes, are a major draw. The Sifflets’ 2,245 square foot one-story home, which they bought for $160,000 in 1980, rests on a quarter acre of land. Magnificent trees on a hill shade their extensive backyard.

On a perfectly landscaped front yard, the Halls often work or relax on a patio they built a year ago.

“You can sit here and people stop by. You can say ‘hi’ and chat,” said Art. “It’s a neighborhood like that.”

For about $120,000, the Halls added a second story to their house, which they originally bought for $140,000. Considering the housing market today, it was a smart investment.

According to Fidelity Realty owner and real estate broker Blanca Ramirez, Belgrove Circle’s four, five and six bedroom homes could now sell for $800,000 to $920,000.

Built in the 1970s, these 2,200 to 2,800 square-foot homes with impressive views of the valley attracted Blanca, as well. Three years ago, she decided to purchase one herself. She looked all over, but ultimately knew the Belgrove Circle home was the one she wanted.

“I love the neighborhood, and I love the house and the floor plan,” she said.

“Before they built all these new homes, this used to be the neighborhood everybody wanted to get into,” said Ann. “Everybody wanted a house in Belgrove Circle, because of the reputation of the kids and family being connected, the large lots and quiet streets.”

With the huge yards, distinctive homes and a close-knit community, the attraction to Belgrove Circle continues.

“It’s a very happening neighborhood,” said Joan.

But it looks like nobody will be moving for a while.