CAMARILLO : Proposed Park Projects Advance

Several longstanding park projects in the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Parks District are moving closer to reality, an official said.

District General Manager Eldred Lokker last week gave park board members a progress report on Mission Oaks, Woodcreek, Fresa and Quito parks, which are mostly funded by park dedication fees paid by builders.

Lokker said Mission Oaks Park, planned for the vicinity of Mission Oaks Boulevard and Oak Canyon Road, is receiving top priority. “Eastern Camarillo does not have a community park,” he said.

The proposed 20.2-acre park will encompass an existing 10-acre park and an additional 10.2 acres. A 14.2-acre first phase estimated to cost as much as $2 million would include grading, irrigation, grass, parking, six tennis courts and a large group picnic area.

Officials would retain two existing softball fields and a restroom building and relocate play equipment.

They hope to pay for approximately $185,000 to $200,000 of the first phase with state parks bond reimbursement money.

Lokker said the district spent about $95,000 so far on the five-acre Woodcreek Park, on Woodcreek Road at Lynnwood Drive next to Tierra Linda Elementary School.

Officials have graded the site and installed irrigation, grass and fencing and soon hope to add play equipment and trees. Lokker estimated the project could end up costing about $140,000.

The district has allocated $45,000 for grading, irrigation and grass on the 2 1/2-acre Fresa site located at Calle Heguera and Avenida Soltura.

About $90,000 has been set aside for the grading, irrigation and grass on the proposed five-acre Quito Park, planned for Quito Court and Calle Dia.

But Lokker said residents living near the site, including board member Carol Schau, have taken it on as a neighborhood project. Since volunteers have said they will do much of the labor--including grading and landscaping design--the district will have more funding free for picnic tables, play equipment and other items, he said.