Residents want open space, not party pavilion

In 2005, citizens expressed opposition to Conejo Recreation and Park District's conceptual plan for Rancho Potrero at a City Council meeting that lasted until 2 a.m.

The plan puts a 200-person party pavilion on some of the most beautiful open space at the edge of our city. With the pavilion comes a road to accommodate buses, a large parking lot and the power and facilities for hosting the large events this project would attract. All of this intended to coexist with peaceful hiking and equestrian trails.

Two years have passed and the conceptual plan has not changed. Again we are put in a position to fight to preserve our open space.

Why is CRPD continuing down this path? Why do City Council members encourage the continued planning?

There seems to be a sense of obligation by the City Council to allow CRPD to develop the land. In 1993, the property was purchased with CRPD providing $1.9 million and the city providing the remaining $1 million. Now CRPD is asking the city to provide $450,000 toward the project to equalize the "interest" in the property.

The only interests that should be considered here are the interests of the citizens of Thousand Oaks. City funds and CRPD funds both exist to benefit the residents of our city. Our elected representatives need to act in our interest and not out of some misguided obligation to CRPD.

The city regularly gives CRPD millions of dollars for various projects. They have more than "equalized" their interests since the purchase of this property 14 years ago.

The citizens of Thousand Oaks have spoken loud and clear. Keep the 300 acres of the beautiful Rancho Potrero surrounding the equestrian center as open space for passive recreational use only. CRPD is pushing a project that nobody wants.
George Brickner
Newbury Park