Dicken is a west-side family neighborhood with shady streets and classic suburban-style 1- and 2-story homes. It includes Dicken Woods, a nature area behind the elementary school that was saved from development by neighbors and is now the site of school and community nature programs.
Small parks are sprinkled throughout the area. Mushroom Park is known for its comical ceramic fungi; Las Vegas Park has a soccer field and playground; and Greenview Park, on the west side of Seventh St., provides a natural retreat for dog walkers and picnickers.
On former croplands southwest of I–94 and north of Scio Church Rd., the Ravines and Meadowinds subdivisions went up at the turn of the century; they have amenities like tennis courts and playgrounds. Also north off Scio Church Rd. near Maple, the 76-unit luxury Kensington Woods condominium community forms one sweeping circle. West of Upland Dr., the 1990s-era Uplands offer slightly larger brick and wood residences, often with decks.
Kids are bused to Dicken from the Arbor Club Apartments off Scio Ridge. Closer to the school are Surrey Park, with 176 ranch-style prefab units, and the older, 312-unit Park Place.
Dicken students go on to attend Slauson Middle School and Pioneer High School.
Bike lanes: Neighborhood arteries including W. Stadium, Scio Church Rd., and W. Liberty all have marked bike lanes. Pauline and S. Seventh have buffered bike lanes.
Walking: Dicken School’s Walk Score is 34. Homes north of there, as well as the Surrey Park, Park Place, Summit View, Walden Hills, and Walden Village complexes are close to shopping centers, restaurants, gas stations, and the many stores along Maple and Stadium.
Park & Ride: 601 W. Stadium (Pioneer High School)
