Lang Ranch Park clears a hurdle on the path to development
The creation of 52-acre Lang Ranch Park can begin, now that its environmental impact report has been certified by the Conejo Recreation and Park District's board of directors.
The board's unanimous approval at its June 5 meeting means what is now an undeveloped field can become a recreation area with a community center, a jogging path, tennis courts, lighted baseball fields, picnic structures/areas, play equipment, trails and several lighted sports courts for basketball and roller hockey.
The design for the park is being called a reduced scope version of the original plan, which was revised after the park district heard from residents.
For instance, the roller hockey rinks and basketball courts were combined, so only one of those sports can be played on each court at a time, said Loren Pluth, CRPD senior planner.
"Next we file the paperwork, and for a couple of months we'll be searching for a consultant team who will create a precise design," he said.
Pluth described the project as the biggest the park district is working on, an important milestone, and a lot of work.
"It's a tall order, and it's going to take a long time."
Phase I of the $24-million project will begin with the infrastructure--parking lots, water and electricity--and ends when the money runs out. Then, as funds come in, Phase II, which will include everything else, will begin, Pluth said.
Currently, the city has set aside $5 million, and the park district hopes to match and possibly exceed that for Phase I, he said.
But it's not just the money they're focusing on. After a precise design is chosen, the project must go to the city for approval.
"In a perfect world it all would take about two years," Pluth said.
That means without roadblocks of any kind and smooth sailing all the way, he said.
If the world isn't perfect, all bets are off, he said, and he can't speculate how long it would take.
The main entrance to the park will be on Westlake Boulevard, with a smaller parking area accessed from Erbes Road to accommodate park facilities on the west side of Lang Creek.
Some residents who live near the park site expressed concern during public meetings regarding the park over increased traffic, light and noise.
