Park district shares updates on its most pressing projects
Opponents of proposed golf course expansion remain vocal
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

The first phase of upgrades to Rancho Simi Community Park will soon be underway if a construction contract is awarded on Nov. 1 as scheduled, according to a report from the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

Plans for the multiphased project, which involve refurbishing the softball fields and adding one new lighted soccer field, were submitted to the city of Simi Valley on Sept. 26.

If all goes as planned, construction to add at least 90 spaces to the west parking lot will begin in early December, said Ed Hayduk, assistant general manager of the park district.

"It's an exciting project," he told the Acorn. "This is just the first. The second phase is the soccer field, and the ball fields are the third phase."

On Oct. 4, Hayduk presented a report to the park district's board of directors detailing the status of 18 different projects on the district's 2007-08 planning and development list of priorities. The projects include plans for the Big Sky dog park, reconstruction of two soccer fields at Rancho Santa Susana and stabilization of a slope along Medea Creek near Oak Park High School.

The idea of bringing a children's spray pool to Oak Canyon Community Park is still in the feasibility and design phase, according to the report.

The Oak Park Recreation and Park Planning Committee reviewed the conceptual plan in April, and the district is still working to refine it, Hayduk said.

"(The board of directors) have agreed to look at the project," he said. "It will probably be a couple more years down the road. We have to get the permits done first."

The expansion of the Sinaloa Golf Course, which calls for the addition of a miniature golf course, water park elements, an arcade and picnic pavilions, remains one of the park district's top priorities.

Several residents who live near the golf course have already said the expansion would result in an increase in crime and traffic in the surrounding area; some repeated those points during Thursday's meeting.

"Everybody we've talked to just thinks this is a horrible idea," said Debbi Bucci. "It's in the middle of homes and it's just crazy."

Bucci questioned the board of directors about rumors that the Sinaloa project would require the sale of Simi's BMX park on Sycamore Drive.

In response, Hayduk reassured residents that the expansion is still in its early planning stages and that the park district is committed to keeping a BMX track in the city.

"The BMX track has nothing to do with it," the assistant manager said. "If anything, it might be relocated, but all that information was a bad interpretation. The district over the years has considered selling the property, but there has never been any formal decision to do so."

The park district also anticipates that design plans to expand Rancho Tapo Community Park to include lighted tennis and pickleball courts will be complete within a month. The plans are currently 60 percent complete, according to the report.

A $67,000 park sign replacement program, which involves the installation of permanent park monument signs in Simi Valley and Oak Park, is under construction. The installation of the signs at Atherwood and Lincoln parks in Simi are scheduled to be complete by the end of October, Hayduk said.

Mae Boyer Park, Valley View Park and Community Garden in Oak Park are part of the sign replacement program, but construction has not yet been scheduled.

Also included on the park district's list of priorities: plans to build park amenities at Chumash Park, to restore a historic apricot-pitting shed that is currently at the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum and to restore "Jungle Jim" Lake at Corriganville Park.

"It's on our wish list to do some work on that thing," Hayduk said.