Thank you, Tex Ward, for doing a great job with our city parks

Plenty of reasons make Thousand Oaks a wonderful place to live, but none are more important than our public parks. A neighborhood park is just a short walk from your home and the city's big parks are also close to home.

Unlike so many things in life, municipal parks are still free. No matter who you are, you can enjoy one of T.O.'s 43 city parks to get some exercise, have a picnic, or just sit back and relax.

Conejo Recreation and Park District serves well the residents of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village. A major reason is Tex Ward, the district's general manager who's retiring Aug. 21 after 38 years of service. Ward deserves gratitude from every resident who's enjoyed a community park or has participated in one or more of the wide variety of programs and activities that are available here.

The crown jewel of Conejo Recreation and Park District is Conejo Creek Park, a centrally located masterpiece that surrounds the Grant Brimhall/ Thousand Oaks Library, the Goebel Senior Center and the Teen Center. It's a great park that serves young and old the entire year.

Nothing beats a good book, a comfortable lawn chair and a public park. You can enjoy, too, the sounds of Mother Nature, the voices of frolicking children and the enticing aroma of a nearby barbecue.

Whether it's badminton, croquet or Frisbee, it's all available right here and it doesn't cost a dime. Just bring your game and play.

Thanks again, Tex Ward, for the park system and service programs you leave behind.

The Conejo Valley is a better place because of you.