Class Act at Barranca Vista

Nestled in a quiet east Ventura neighborhood and surrounded by stately shade trees is Barranca Vista Park, one of the hidden gems of the city’s three dozen recreation facilities.

What makes the small park stand out, besides its seven acres of gently sloping grassland and lack of any litter and graffiti, are the friendliness of the on-site staff and the numerous classes available to people of all ages.

On a recent sunny afternoon, the doors of the park’s indoor recreation center were open. Inside, a cheerful dance instructor was teaching a class of retirees the finer points of country-western line dancing.

One in an occasional series on parks in Ventura County

Nearby on a sand-covered playground, several toddlers squealed with delight while taking turns on a small slide.

The park may look like just a neighborhood spot, but residents from across the city flock there all year to partake of dance, art, music and other courses offered at low fees and taught by professionals, many of whom live and work in Ventura.

One of the biggest draws for parents and children is a play series called “Fairytales in the Park,” a summertime menu of fables staged by a county acting troupe.

“They come from all over because what we have here is for everybody,” said Georgeanne Lees, a cultural affairs supervisor for the city whose cramped, welcoming office is inside a small building at the park.

“The people range in ages from tots to seniors. We have over 100 cultural arts classes that are held four times a year,” she added.

Lees’ office is staffed during work hours Monday through Friday, and anyone needing information about classes, renting the facilities or just looking for someone to chat with about upcoming events in the city can pop in. Class schedules can also be obtained at City Hall.

Want to see what students in the classes learn? Stop by the park this Saturday for an open house from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Lees said.

The Barranca Vista Center is hosting its annual “Achievement in the Arts” celebration, which showcases the talents of students who participated in fall classes, most of which end next week (more classes start in December).

Instructor and former Broadway dancer Petty DesMarais will kick off the open house with a demonstration by her adult introductory tap dancing class. That will be followed by a presentation from students in Pam Cohen’s pre-ballet and tapping tots classes.

“Pam’s a real popular teacher, and many of the people who come out, come to see her,” said Katherine Lawson, a cultural arts coordinator who works at the park and organized the open house.

In addition to refreshments, gift certificates and demonstrations, there will be a preview of the center’s upcoming winter classes. There will also be displays of sculpting, handcrafted mobiles and paintings by students and teachers. Singers, a flute choir and other dancers and actors will also perform.

For those who can’t make the open house or sign up for a class, think about stopping by the park for a picnic or just to relax in the grass.

“It’s a nice, quiet park that is very user friendly,” Lees said.

Picnic tables dot the landscape next to self-standing barbecues. Garbage cans are abundant and restrooms are within a very short walking distance from all sides of the park. There are also a basketball court, shuffleboard and illuminated walking paths.

People watching children at one of the two blue and orange playground areas might use the benches under a latticed walkway.

“It’s always very clean and it’s nice for my daughter because she can come play with other kids,” said Judi West, who comes to the park with her 3-year-old, Cassidy, nearly every day.

The Wests live in one of the many single-family homes that surround the park.

Kim Anderson, who moved to the neighborhood about three months ago, also frequently brings her two children, Hailey, 1, and Skyler, 2, she said.

The proximity to her home, which is about three blocks away, is a big incentive, as is the park’s cleanliness, she said.

“And if you ever need anything, the door to the center is always open and the people are very nice,” she said.

DETAILS

Barranca Vista Park, 7050 E. Ralston St., Ventura, 644-6542. The open house will be held Saturday from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Free.

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Tip of the Week: The Conejo Valley Historical Society will host its 22nd annual fall Donna Fargo Memorial Craft-a-Rama on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Recreation Center, 2525 Moorpark Road next to Thousand Oaks High School. Hundreds of items will be for sale, and proceeds will benefit several causes, including the Stagecoach Inn Museum. There will be food and entertainment; admission is free. For more information, call 499-7526.

Ideas for Jaunts can be forwarded to holly.wolcott@latimes.com.