Rotarians help clean up McCrea Ranch property

Local Rotarians, community volunteers and staff of the Conejo Recreation and Park District held a work day at the McCrea Ranch on Sat., May 3.

The 30-person work party was made up primarily of members of the Thousand Oaks, Westlake Sunrise and Newbury Park Rotary clubs.

The volunteers provided the labor to clean up debris, install fencing, paint and construct a replica of the original cattle chute at the ranch.

Tom Mosher, a member of Westlake Sunrise Rotary and district community services chair, organized the event.

The McCrea Ranch, at the bottom of the Norwegian Grade, was owned by Western movie actor Joel McCrea and his wife, Francis Dee.

The McCreas donated the ranch in 1995 to the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

The ranch home and outbuildings, constructed in the 1930s, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

"We accomplished a lot of good work today," said Tom Hare, administrator of parks and planning for the Conejo Recreation and Park District. "It was a big initial step in our plans for the facility."

The district's future considerations for the property will preserve the historical working ranch atmosphere.

Plans include development of the historical buildings, lake, restored riparian habitat, hiking and equestrian trails, amphitheater, corrals, agricultural fields, day camp facilities and parking.