THOUSAND OAKS : Acquisition of Broome Ranch Is Heralded
Park and city officials gathered Friday to pat each other on the back for working together to acquire the 640-acre Broome Ranch near Thousand Oaks.
“This is a cause for celebration,” Councilwoman Judy Lazar said. “We’re all here to say happy birthday to Broome Ranch on its first day as permanent open space.”
The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, in partnership with the National Park Service, the city of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District, acquired the tract this week for $4.2 million.
Officials said the parkland will eventually be divided up, with each of the public agencies assuming ownership of a portion of the property at the southwestern edge of Thousand Oaks.
Among those attending Friday’s impromptu dedication ceremony were David Gackenbach, superintendent of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area; Tex Ward, general manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District, and Jerome Daniel, chairman of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.
Although Broome Ranch is now under public ownership, officials said it may be several months before trails are cleared and picnic tables set up so the parkland can be opened to the public.
Broome Ranch is considered a key acquisition because it serves as the gateway to an unbroken stretch of state and federal parkland that sweeps through Point Mugu State Park down to the Pacific Ocean.
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