The major purpose of the Conejo Recreation and Park District has always been to provide the best possible parks and programs.

To that end, CRPD developed a master plan in which the Conejo Valley is divided into six regions with the goal of providing equal facilities in each.

Through decades of careful planning in which available land was coupled with the prudent use of financial resources, that goal has been achieved for each section except the northeast.

The development of 124 acres of park land as a community park in the Lang Ranch neighborhood was to have been the final piece of the puzzle, with the creation of our sixth community park and our 44th park overall.

Unfortunately, during soil studies of the site, remnants of an ancient landslide were discovered about 100 feet beneath the ground which render the site undevelopable without the construction of a subterranean dam, the cost of which would be prohibitive ($10 million to $15 million) thereby curtailing the project.

In my opinion, it’s a pity that an active community park will not be achieved on the site, but all is not lost.

Our park board is currently holding public meetings in which community members and staff are studying the property to come up with a more passive type of recreation option.

I participated in a two-hour walk through the property last Saturday with about 70 others to appreciate the terrain and brainstorm on possible uses not involving grading or construction. Some of the ideas which emerged were: hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, a par (exercise) course, disc golf and camping, to name a few.

We are also now in the process of completing and upgrading some of the neighborhood parks in the northeast section to provide more facilities for active recreation.

Those who would like to participate in the brainstorming sessions for the proposed Lang Ranch Park (and other northeast parks) should go online to www.crpd.org or call the district offi ce, (805) 495-6471, to get a schedule of meetings.

All of us at CRPD are a team committed to our motto of “Parks Make Life Better.”

Ed Jones
Thousand Oaks

Jones is a member of the CRPD board of directors.