Battle over pavilion at Rancho Potrero continues
By Nancy Needham  nancy@theacorn.com

A time traveler would have trouble knowing what year it is if he found himself in the middle of the Rancho Potrero conflict in Thousand Oaks. The argument going on today over whether to make the land available to everyone or keep it in its natural state began years ago.

Two years ago, in October 2005, the Thousand Oaks City Council voted 3-0 to approve a conceptual plan so more residents could enjoy the 326-acre Rancho Potrero open space parcel south of Lynn Road. Claudia Bill-de la Peña, mayor at the time, abstained. The late council member Ed Masry wasn't in attendance. Councilmembers Jacqui Irwin, Andy Fox and Dennis Gillette voted in favor.

Public speakers showed up at the 2005 council meeting asking that the land be left in its natural state with scenic hills surrounded by untouched open space.

In response, Irwin said the area was the perfect spot to teach children the importance of our environment in a way that cannot be taught in a classroom. It was explained that the area belonged to all residents, not just those who live in the area surrounding the property.

Picnic areas, including the covered pavilion for 200 people at the center of today's controversy, were included in the 2005 City Council-approved plan along with car and bus parking. Trails would be added. The city would pay the $450,000 cost over a four-year period beginning in 2007.

Fast forward to 2007 and the property adjacent to private and National Park Service land is still accessible only to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.

Those who live nearby are still organizing to keep it that way.

"Please adopt a resolution at your next board meeting supporting the designation of the remaining 306 acres of Rancho Potrero as Open Space for passive recreational use only. That would show that you are listening to your constituents and sticking with the original purchase intent," John Fonti of Newbury Park wrote to Conejo Recreation and Park District board members.

When Rancho Potrero was purchased in 1993, the city put up $1 million and the park district paid $1.9 million. The land was transferred to the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency.

On Aug. 27, Haciendas Community Association, Dos Vientos, sent feedback to the City Council, the park district and the conservation agency about the conceptual plan in support of landscaping and structural improvements to the existing equestrian center. The group also agreed with adding additional trails and linking the trails to the National Park. Adding a trailhead to the existing equestrian center was suggested to help the community access the area. A few picnic tables as found in Wildwood Park were also recommended.

The group called for no fire pits, lights, electrical outlets or alcohol use. The pavilion was also not a good idea, the report said. It also expressed other concerns. The parks department has received similar communication from other residents, said Jim Friedl, the park district's general manager.

A focus group gathered by the park district over the summer discussed alternatives to the 200-seat pavilion that was to have 25 picnic tables and the parking lot to provide more access to the area, Friedl said.

"If that (200-seat pavilion) concept has issues, we are certainly willing to explore alternatives," Friedl said.

Rather than return to the conservation agency board, City Council and the park district board with a specific plan that people are concerned about, more work will be done with focus groups, the intergovernmental committee and interested residents to explore alternative concepts, Friedl said.

Fonti questioned Friedl by e-mail on the wisdom of spending about $16,000 on focus groups to gather information that was already discussed during the 2005 city council meeting.

"Some have suggested the time for discussion and exchange of ideas for alternatives for the use of the property has ended--that we should simply leave it as is," Friedl said.

But, Friedl said, he believes in the public input process. "I believe our parks and open space resources are one of the big reasons people enjoy living here. So, whenever we discuss our parks and open space, we expect lots of opinions, input and passion."