We have outstanding service organizations in our community, and that was demonstrated once again at the 2021 Thousand Oaks Rotary Street Fair.
Both sides of Moorpark Road, from Hillcrest Drive to Wilbur Road, were lined with booths featuring community organizations, businesses, agencies, vendors, crafts, and political candidates, as well as classic cars, food trucks, children’s activities and a stage for entertainment strategically placed in between.
Several Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) staff members and I greeted residents and other interested parties at the district’s booth. Although we were there for seven hours, the time passed by quickly because of the many individuals, families, friends and dogs who stopped by to visit.
While the spin-the-wheel-for-a-prize game attracted the children, the adults were quick to strike up conversations and grab a few flyers, brochures and/or program guides.
What made the day special for me was the number of times I heard, “We love our parks! We love CRPD!” Time and time again, folks stopped by simply to share their appreciation for the Conejo Recreation and Park District. There were also many who stopped by with questions about programming, specific parks and trails, museums, dog parks and the many facilities that CRPD has to offer. I was very impressed at the ability of the CRPD staff members I was with, who quickly and thoroughly addressed the variety of inquiries. CRPD has a great staff!
Conejo Creek Dog Park
The Conejo Creek Dog Park, located along Avenida De Las Flores, first opened for public use in June 2001. With 200,000 canine visits each year, it is well-used and -appreciated by dogs and dog owners alike! However, this dog park is more than that – it’s a community, a place where friendships are made, and the benefits and challenges of being a dog owner are shared.
Since its inception, the dog park has had several upgrades over the years, including shaded seating areas, landscaping and irrigation improvements, and lighting for both the park and parking lot. This year, the dog park was once again scheduled for improvements: turf refurbishment and landscaping, paving of the parking lot, installation of a permanent restroom and the addition of more substantial shade structures.
When I attended a public outreach at the dog park several months ago, I was pleased to see how many “dog parents” were engaged in the process of the park improvement project. Not only did they share their opinions about what was proposed, but they made great suggestions about how to further enhance the environment based on their familiarity and experience with the park and its four-footed patrons. Along with the CRPD staff and architects, the dog park community helped make the park their “home,” away from home.
CRPD held an official ribbon-cutting to re-open the refurbished dog park facility on October 23. CRPD Board members and staff, community officials, vendors, dog owners and lots of dogs were present for the event. Let the barking begin – again!
Conejo Creek Southwest Park
Conejo Creek Park was first acquired in 1972. With a substantial amount of input from the community, master plans for the park were approved in 1981, 1999 and again in 2018. (I remember participating in a public outreach session at the Goebel Adult Center back in the 1990s). Over time, Conejo Creek Park has been developed in sections: Conejo Creek North (the library park), Conejo Creek South (the soccer fields) and Conejo Creek West (the equestrian center, community garden, and dog park). Finally, after 50 years, the development of the long-vacant Conejo Creek Southwest section along Paige Lane is underway.
An official groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 23 with CRPD board members, city council members, community officials, neighbors and the Kiwanis Club, which provided lunch. The generosity of the City of Thousand Oaks and their contribution of a $1.5 million grant completed the needed funding to get the project started. Unlike the typical “golden shovel” ceremonial groundbreaking, the CRPD staff arranged for a front-load tractor to take the first scoop of soil to really get things started!
This final section of Conejo Creek Park is scheduled for completion in about six months. It is being developed as a neighborhood park with a Chumash-themed playground; CRPD will formally name it in the next few months.
Lynn Oaks Neighborhood Park
Finally, on the afternoon of October 23, a second public outreach meeting was held at Lynn Oaks Neighborhood Park on Capitan Street to solicit input for future improvement and expansion options. Though funding has yet to be approved, the CRPD staff is planning ahead, as usual, for a “shovel ready” project when funding is identified.
Around 50 neighbors participated between the two meetings and provided their opinions and suggestions on how the park could best be improved. We don’t know yet what the final design will include, but some of the ideas were a trampoline, telescope, parking lot, restroom and nature area.
During all of the CRPD activities that I recently participated in, the constant theme was community engagement. I was thrilled to see how many residents and park patrons participated in these events. Just like at the Street Fair, the comments I heard at the ribbon-cutting, groundbreaking and outreach meetings were constructive, positive and encouraging.
Our residents really love their parks, and CRPD really loves that our parks are enjoyed by our community.
Doug Nickles is a Director/Board Member for the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and the California Association of Recreation and Park Districts. The views expressed are his and do not necessarily reflect those of the District, Agency or the respective Boards.
