Rancho Conejo Park a Big Hit on First Day

If Saturday’s celebration is any indication, community parks are a big deal for the people of Thousand Oaks.

With the pungent smell of organic fertilizer still heavy in the air, more than 100 residents, their children and a handful of city officials celebrated the opening of the city’s 37th park, Rancho Conejo Playfield.

There, amid harmonized renditions of “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” sung by a gussied-up barbershop quartet, the neighborhood’s youngest residents took advantage of Thousand Oaks’ newest recreational charm.

“Let’s get on the race car,” yelled 5-year-old Rachel Stepp to her bubbly friend, Sally Misjary, also 5, as they inspected the playground’s pastel accouterments. “Or maybe the purple dinosaur.”

Located at 950 Ventu Park Road, the 4-acre park has a playground, two tennis courts, a concrete basketball court and plenty of grass. Later, the park will be expanded to more than 13 acres and will include two softball fields and a soccer field.

“It’s really a treat to be here and see this open,” said Mayor Judy Lazar, who, along with Councilman Andy Fox and Planning Commissioner Forrest Frields, attended the ribbon-cutting. “A lot of work was put into this, and it looks wonderful.”

Approved in 1988 as part of a deal between the city and Shapell Industries, which is building the Rancho Conejo housing development, the park was planned using the input of neighborhood residents, many of whom have young families.

“This is really for the kids to enjoy,” said Tom Donley, president of the Rancho Conejo Homeowners’ Assn. “They’re the ones who are really going to use it and enjoy it.”

And from the frenzy of activity on the playground, it looked as if the park already has a few regulars.

Before it had even been officially dedicated, dozens of gleeful kids romped around the wood-chip-lined area, swooshing down slides, shuffling through tubes and hanging off bars.

“I think the slide’s the best thing,” said 6-year-old Jenna Frahmes, before heading down the spiraling tube of teal-colored plastic. “You don’t even know what’s happening because you can’t see out.”

Others, such as 7-year-old Matthew Chen, found happiness in hiding from playmates within the jungle gym’s shadowed nooks and crannies.

“No one can see me if I stay in here,” Matthew said as he strained to pull himself inside a large pink pipe. He was eventually discovered by his 5-year-old sister, Lisa.

Officials from the Conejo Recreation and Park District said they expect the park to be finished by next spring.

“It’ll be a real nice addition to the community,” said Tom Sorensen of the park district. “I think everyone will have a good time here.”