Fort Wildwood has 'cease fire'

Conejo Recreation and Park District's plan for a concrete slab with picnic tables was nixed by residents who demanded more creativity in the replacement of Fort Wildwood.

The site of the log fort that was destroyed in January after years of neglect will revert to a natural look while CRPD gathers additional public comments at community meetings.

The board voted unanimously March 26 to finish cleaning up the remnants of the 1960 fort and make the area look natural while the future of the site is determined. A $3,000 informational kiosk will be added to the site on Avenida de Los Arboles during the interim.

The children's fort, originally built by a home developer in the area to help sell houses, became an unsafe play area, so it was closed years ago. A chain-link fence has blocked off the area. The park was closed to safeguard children from unprotected falls and splinters, said Tom Hare, parks and planning administrator.

CRPD had decided to replicate the fort's entry using some of its old hardware, pour concrete over the 30-by-34-foot space and put some picnic tables there, he said.

Some nearby residents wanted the area to go back to the wild with a natural look; others wanted a creative attraction similar to the fort to be built.

Before the board voted, CRPD met with about 50 residents and listened to their ideas.

—Nancy Needham