Best Preschool: Rabina Bisht, 4, paints Easter pictures at Campbell's Montessori Preschool.
Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Best of Campbell 2002: Kids Stuff
Readers showed this to be the most popular category on the ballot, giving plenty of choices and reasons why a children-friendly community is important. The nominees reflected the importance Campbell residents place on their young citizens, giving abundant choices for the best place to take kids to play, eat and learn. By their overwhelming response to this category, readers showed they know that keeping children happy and safe in a community is important and that without a protected child population, a city can't thrive in the future.
Best Restaurant for Kids
Mama Mia
Not only does Mama Mia offer top-notch Italian cuisine, but it's also a great place for the kids to go as well. According to owner Frank Leamy, the restaurant's "red-check" atmosphere naturally lends itself to kids' enjoyment. For those not hip to restaurant lingo, "red-check" pertains to the red-check tablecloths that the restaurant uses, suggesting a more casual, comfortable atmosphere.
Leamy says Mama Mia recognizes that kids and their dining families will be the next generation of customers, so they seek to make their dining experience as enjoyable as possible. This entails a kids' menu (complete with kids' activities) and an overall friendly environment.
Mama Mia, 200 E. Hamilton Ave., 408.379.3333
Best Park
Best Place to Take Kids
Best Place to Play
The John D. Morgan Park
This popular park takes top honors for the second year in all three of the above categories.
The 30-acre park is the oldest piece of recreational open space in Campbell. Residents throughout the community visit the park to play tennis and basketball and even go horseback riding. The park is well-known for its organized sports, such as baseball, softball and soccer leagues.
In the summer, children cool off under the water-spraying fountains, while parents bring blankets to picnic under the shady trees.
During the park's early years it was known as Rincon Park, but when Campbells' Chief of Police John D. Morgan became incapacitated from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1971, the community renamed the park in his honor.
John D. Morgan Park can be entered from Rincon Avenue at Winchester Boulevard or Budd Avenue between Winchester and San Tomas Expressway
Best Athletic League for Kids
Campbell Little League
Baseball season is in full swing in Campbell--Campbell Little League kicked off the 2002 season with an opening ceremony on March 30. The league is within California District 44, a district within Little League West Region, which includes Campbell, Cupertino, Sunnyvale, Mountain View and Los Altos.
It's not only fun to watch the athletes play but also fun to enjoy the beautiful outdoors, with bright sunshine, colorful flowers and the smell of freshly cut grass. Fans bring their sunflower seeds and peanuts or visit the snack shack and have a good time enjoying Campbell Little League games and activities.
This season should be busy for Campbell Little League, with 360 children signed up to participate in one of four divisions: majors, 10 to 12 years old; minors, 9 to 12 years old; farm, 7 to 10 years of age; and tee ball, ages 5 to 7.
And the league could be voted best league for kids in part thanks to the help of its sponsors, Campbell Plaza, Ernie's Pool and Spa and KellyAgent.com.
Campbell Little League, 408.379.5002
Best Day Care/Preschool
Montessori Academy of Campbell
Since preschool is an introduction to education a child's, it is important to find one that is both educational and full of activities. Montessori Academy of Campbell meets both requirements. The unique philosophy at the preschool was created by Maria Montessori in the 1800s.
The Montessori philosophy is to raise a child to be independent while still placing limitations so he or she will be healthy and safe.
The 49 students in the four classes at the preschool take advantage of a large playground during play time. The work time consists of learning about animals, plants, nature and history, and learning how to read and write. But the lessons don't stop there. Social skills children learn are grace, manners and courtesy.
Montessori Academy of Campbell, 177 E. Rincon Ave., 408.378.9244
The Best of Campbell 2002
Sense of Community
Dining & Entertainment
People & Professions
Goods & Services
Places & Spaces
Campbell, California
