Camarillo OKs 3 New Park Sites : Recreation: At one of them, people in the neighborhood promise to chip in with trees, money and labor.

Neighbors on a Camarillo block have banded together and pledged labor, trees and money to help develop a small park, one of three approved by the city Planning Commission this week.

The site of Quito Park, along with two other undeveloped lots owned by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, were reviewed and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission on Tuesday.

Park district officials, who have earmarked an estimated $380,000 to install irrigation systems and turf at the three sites, said they are gratified by the response of the Quito Court homeowners to a proposal to develop the site.

“The neighbors have told us they want to help with construction as well as the purchase and installation of playground equipment for the Quito site,” said Eldred Lokker, general manager of the parks district. “We’re very excited about their involvement.”

Quito Court resident Diann Canterbury said the neighborhood is eagerly awaiting the start of construction on the park.

“Our dream is to see the place become a space for the whole neighborhood to enjoy,” Canterbury said. “Eventually, we’d like to see a tot lot, picnic tables and some play equipment, but we’ll be taking one step at a time.”

Lokker said one park neighbor has secured free grading work for the site near Santa Rosa Road, while others are working to provide free or low-cost construction materials and labor.

“With our budget being as tight as it is, we’re happy for the help,” Lokker said. “We have a budget for the irrigation system and the turf, but if we (can) use that money for equipment instead, it would be great.”

Besides Quito Park, planners approved construction of sprinklers and turf for Woodcreek Park, a 4.6-acre site near the intersection of Hillridge and Lynwood drives, and for Las Posas North Park, a three-acre facility near the intersection of Calle Higuera and Sierra Mesa Drive.

“Both the commission and staff reviewed the three sites and found them to be good, compatible uses with the city’s General Plan,” said Matthew Boden, city director of planning and community development. “We think when they’re developed they will be attractive sites for residents in those neighborhoods.”

Officials said the Woodcreek site will double as a playground for the still-under-construction Tierra Linda School during weekdays and as a public park evenings and weekends.

Lokker said the district will probably proceed with construction on the Las Posas North site, but that improvements there may have to be modified if an adjacent strawberry field is sold and developed as a housing tract.

If the adjacent farmland is developed, the park district expects the park site to grow by an additional four to five acres through a deal with developers, Lokker said. Currently, a large amount of fill dirt at the site could be used if the property is expanded.

“Our problem is whether we spend the money there now or wait,” Lokker said. “(The development deal) could be achieved next year or five years from now--it’s a bit of a guess.”

The three parks represent the 21st, 22nd and 23rd to be developed by the district. A 24th park, a five-acre facility, is slated to be built within the Spanish Hills housing development on the city’s west side sometime in 1994.

Lokker said the three parks approved by city planners Tuesday are expected to be open to the public sometime early next summer.