Oak Park, Simi Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oak Park |
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Sign at entrance.
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| Type | Open space park |
| Location | Simi Valley, CA |
| Area | 100.5 acres (40.7 ha) |
| Operated by | Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy |
| Status | Open daily 7:30 am - 8:00 pm during summer. |
Oak Park is a fun outdoor park in Simi Valley, California. It covers about 100.5 acres, which is like 75 football fields! You can find it near Moorpark and Highway 118. This park is looked after by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It's a great place to explore nature.
The park is surrounded by rolling hills and has many large oak trees. You'll also see canyons and lots of coastal scrub plants. It's a perfect spot for hiking and seeing local wildlife.
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What Can You Do at Oak Park?
Oak Park offers many cool things to do for families and friends. You can enjoy a playground, play horseshoes, or shoot some hoops on the basketball court. There are also picnic tables where you can have lunch.
You'll find restrooms, a water fountain, and BBQ areas. If you like camping, Oak Park is a great choice! You need to reserve your spot ahead of time. There's a two-night minimum stay for campers.
Camping Adventures
In 2018, the park had 16 campsites for tents or RVs. These spots have some hookups and 30 amp power. There's also a special RV group camping area with 16 spaces. If you have a big group, there's a tent site for up to 50 people!
The park also has four day-use areas for groups. Just call ahead to make a reservation. Sometimes, during the summer, the park even hosts special programs in the camping area.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Oak Park is home to many native plants and animals. It's like a living classroom where you can learn about nature! You might spot many different kinds of birds, especially raptors like hawks and eagles.
Wildlife You Might See
Keep an eye out for interesting reptiles like sagebrush lizards and alligator lizards. Fast-running roadrunners and tiny hummingbirds also live here. If you're lucky, you might see mammals such as grey foxes, bobcats, raccoons, opossums, and skunks.
Be aware that various snakes live in the park too. These include the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake and the California Kingsnake. Remember to always stay on the trails and observe wildlife from a safe distance.
Future Park Expansion
The park district is working to add more land to Oak Park. They plan to get 734 acres of land in Alamos Canyon. This new area is on the other side of West Los Angeles Avenue. The idea is to create a trail that connects Oak Park to Alamos Canyon. This would form a "greenbelt" between Simi Valley and Moorpark, giving even more space for nature and outdoor fun!
