Conejo Recreation and Park District facts for kids
The Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) helps manage parks in the Conejo Valley, California. It was started in 1962. CRPD works with the City of Thousand Oaks to manage parks and open spaces.
In 1977, CRPD helped create the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA). COSCA takes care of over 15,000 acres of open land. It also manages 140 miles of trails for everyone to enjoy. CRPD itself looks after more than 50 community parks. The district uses about $20 million each year to run these parks. Most of this money comes from local property taxes.
CRPD used to have its main office in the old Crowley House. This house was built in 1910 and is a historical landmark. Now, the CRPD office is located near the Hillcrest Center for the Arts.
History of Conejo Parks
The Conejo Recreation and Park District began in January 1963. People living in the Conejo Valley voted to create it. The first park board members were Luther C. Schwich, Roy Dehm, Marvin W. Burow, Donald M. Roberts, and Joan McGillis.
One of CRPD's first big projects was building a public swimming pool. This pool was built at Thousand Oaks High School in 1964. In December 1966, CRPD received a very large gift of land. Potrero Homes donated 1,250 acres of canyons and flat areas. This land is now known as Wildwood Regional Park, near California Lutheran University.
Through the late 1960s, CRPD offered many fun activities. These included overnight camps, ball games, and nature walks. In the 1970s, the agency worked to get money for another swimming pool. This pool was built at Newbury Park High School in 1972.
The district bought the 30-acre Borchard Community Park in Newbury Park in February 1969. The Thousand Oaks Community Center was built in 1971. CRPD also gained large parts of Lang Ranch in 1972. One of the last important pieces of parkland was bought in the mid-1980s. This included the 240-acre Wildwood Mesa.
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) was formed in 1977. It was a joint effort between the City of Thousand Oaks and the park district. COSCA helps protect the natural open spaces.
Parks to Explore
CRPD manages about 50 parks in the Conejo Valley. Here is a list of some of them:
- Banyan Park (Newbury Park, CA)
- Beyer Park
- Borchard Community Park (Newbury Park)
- Canada Park
- Conejo Community Park
- Conejo Creek North Park
- Conejo Creek South Park
- Conejo Creek Southwest Park
- Conejo Creek Equestrian Park
- Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
- Cypress Park (Newbury Park)
- Del Prado Playfield (Newbury Park)
- Dos Vientos Community Park (Newbury Park)
- Dos Vientos Neighborhood Park (Newbury Park)
- El Parque de la Paz
- Estella Park (first public park in Thousand Oaks)
- Evenstar Park
- Fiore Playfield
- Glenwood Park
- Hickory Park (Newbury Park)
- Kimber Park (Newbury Park)
- Lang Ranch Neighborhood Park
- Las Flores Community Garden
- Lynn Oaks Park (Newbury Park)
- Newbury Gateway Park
- North Ranch Neighborhood Park
- North Ranch Playfield
- Northwood Park
- Oakbrook Neighborhood Park
- Oakbrook Regional Park (home of Chumash Indian Museum)
- Old Meadows Park
- Pepper Tree Playfield (Newbury Park)
- Rancho Conejo Playfields (Newbury Park)
- Russell Park
- Sapwi Trails Community Park
- Southshore Hills Park
- Spring Meadow Park
- Stagecoach Inn Park
- Suburbia Park
- Sunset Hills Park
- Sycamore Neighborhood Park (Newbury Park)
- Thousand Oaks Community Park
- Triunfo Park
- Walnut Grove Equestrian Center (Newbury Park)
- Walnut Grove Park (Newbury Park)
- Waverly Park
- Wendy Park (Newbury Park)
- Wildflower Playfield
- Wildwood Neighborhood Park
- Wildwood Regional Park
