Residents Seek to Stop Plans for New Park

Encouraged by what they said was a successful meeting of residents in Westlake Canyon Oaks, opponents of the planned Lindero Canyon Park have begun a petition campaign to increase support for their position.

Opponents stood in front of the Costco warehouse store in Westlake Village on Tuesday, gathering signatures on a petition they said they will present to the City Council at public hearings on the issue.

The opposition is led by residents of Thousand Oaks to the north of the proposed park location, who said they are trying to educate residents of Westlake Village about the project.

“Many of the people we talked to in Westlake Village don’t even know this is going on,” said Valerie Freedman, who lives just over the line in Ventura County near the planned park. “If there is overwhelming opposition to this, how can they spend millions [of dollars] for something [residents] don’t want?”

Mayor Doug Yarrow said the city has explained the park plans to residents, through the city’s newsletter and in City Council meetings.

He also said the plan has had overwhelming support from Westlake Village residents and sports league representatives, who for years have urged the city to provide recreational activities for young people.

Opponents acknowledge the need for a sports complex, but question the size and scope of the facility being planned, and whether it is a legitimate use of the site, which as been zoned as open space.

The park, which would be constructed on 33 acres on both sides of Lindero Canyon Road at the Los Angeles-Ventura county line, calls for four baseball fields, two soccer fields and a roller hockey-basketball court.

Yarrow said each element of the park as planned is necessary, and that parks are an allowed use of open space, according to the city code.

City officials said the plans for the park have not been finalized, so the cost or method of financing of the facility has not yet been determined.