OJAI : Libbey Park Stream Plans to Be Unveiled

Plans for the restoration of the Libbey Park stream will be on display for public comment later this month.

Restoration of the stream, also known as the East Barranca, is a volunteer effort spearheaded by the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy.

“We want to return the stream to a more appealing state,” said Richard Handley, a trustee of the conservancy. “The stream’s been neglected over the past 20 years or so and could use some help.”

The conservancy, which was formed in the mid-1980s to preserve open space in the Ojai Valley, first concentrated its efforts on the stream a year ago with the volunteer removal of trash and debris from the stream bed.

Now the conservancy hopes to ensure a healthy future for the stream.

Its plans include restoring native vegetation, building trails and a small bridge to preserve the stream’s banks and putting up interpretive signs. Many of the ideas are included in the city’s master plan for Libbey Park but haven’t been acted on because of a lack of funds.

That’s where the conservancy comes in.

“The land conservancy has taken on this project because we can bring in community resources and participation to make this dream a reality,” said Ellen Hall, the conservancy’s administration director.

The plans will go on display at 7:30 p.m. May 16 in the Ojai City Hall Council Chambers.