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Park View: Navigating Obstacles and Avoiding Gladiators

Way back during the 1990s, well before reality TV was all the rage, there was a popular TV show called “American Gladiators.” The show was a seasonal competition in which two men and two women competed against each other, while a roster of male and female “gladiators” tried to keep them from reaching their goal. There were a variety of competitive events: the Assault, Joust, the Wall, Breakthrough and Conquer, etc., all culminating in a final event, “The Eliminator,” a difficult obstacle course race. During every event, the competitors were racing against each other, navigating the obstacles and either avoiding the gladiators or facing them head-on. Each season there was a final tournament to determine the grand champion.

This competitive TV show came to mind as I was reading the “2021 Year in Review” for the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) in preparation for our last board meeting. This past year, CRPD staff proved to be valiant in their efforts to navigate obstacles and avoid “gladiators.” They did not sway from the mission set before them by the board of directors but rather faced it head-on.

The CRPD board was adamant that our community’s recreational and social well-being needs must be met, both in the present and the future. However, rather than competing against residents, local organizations and agencies, CRPD chose instead to partner with them and jointly overcome the challenges. While unanticipated obstacles often plagued the pathway directed by the board, and “gladiators” were constantly attempting to break through, CRPD was not to be thwarted — agility, creativity and perseverance proved to be a winning combination.

The accomplishments for CRPD in 2021 were many, varied and significant. In addition to maintaining the regular programming and administrative functions, here are a few of the notable accomplishments for the year:

● Awarded a contract to Marina Landscape and held ground-breaking for the new 14-acre Paige Lane Neighborhood Park with a $1.5 million grant from the City of Thousand Oaks (estimated $4.2 million project).
● Worked with the City of Thousand Oaks to update and improve the Thousand Oaks Teen Center and the Goebel Adult Community Center (estimated $4.6 million project; construction underway).
● Completed improvements to the Conejo Creek Dog Park, including shade structures, restroom, parking lot and landscaping ($1.1 million project).
● Awarded a contract for rehabilitation of four playgrounds: Lang Ranch Neighborhood Park, Triunfo Community Park, Southshore Hills Neighborhood Park and Thousand Oaks Community Park ($1.8 million project).
● Approved the Mitigated Negative Declaration and contracted with Andrew Goodwin Designs for architectural and landscape design at Conejo Community Park and Center.
● Approved design and engineering services with California Skateparks for Borchard Community Park Skatepark Renovation Project.
● Established an ad hoc committee to explore options to create additional pickleball courts.
● Updated the CRPD Water Conservation Plan.
● Partnered with the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) to transfer the Rancho Potrero Community Equestrian Center to CRPD and the land beneath the Thousand Oaks Library to the City of Thousand Oaks.
● Approved funding for four additional COSCA Rangers along with related vehicles and equipment.

Also noteworthy is that CRPD was recognized by the California Special District’s Association with its “Transparency Certificate of Excellence” for conducting its affairs in an open and transparent manner.

As I reflect on the past year, particularly with the uncertain conditions during the early months, I am pleased and proud of what CRPD was able to accomplish during 2021.

As I reflect on the past year, particularly with the uncertain conditions during the early months, I am pleased and proud of what CRPD was able to accomplish during 2021. To use “American Gladiator” terms, all of our events were completed successfully, and although there was no official final “eliminator” event, every week felt as though it could have been labeled as such.

There is no need for a year-end tournament; the results are clear – CRPD is the grand champion for 2021!

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.


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