It hasn’t always been easy, and it hasn’t always been popular, but Conejo Rec and Park District’s effort to reduce its reliance on water has been unequivocally effective.

Today, the special district is using 60 million gallons less water per year than it used in 2008, which equals a savings of around $450,000. The Calleguas Municipal Water District, which serves much of Ventura County, has pegged CRPD the “poster child” of conservation in the region.

Dee Pearson is an expert at keeping her head above water.

The Thousand Oaks native started working as a lifeguard for the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1982. She was a seasonal hire who spent the summer policing the pool at Thousand Oaks High School.

The Arroyo Conejo may soon be water under the bridge.

On Jan. 4, Conejo Recreation and Park District board members approved the use of Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to construct a bridge over the ancient creek bed that would allow trail and authorized vehicle access to Wildwood Regional Park from the Conejo Canyons Open Space area to the west.

The Dreamcatcher Playground was built with specialneeds children in mind. But the park is appropriate—and entertaining—for children of all ability levels.

After five years of fundraising and several months of construction, the Conejo Recreation and Park District dedicated the newly expanded playground Sept. 20 in a special ceremony at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks. As youngsters played the chimes, spun on the merry-goround and rocked on the bench swing a few yards behind the podium, it was clear the ribboncutting was merely a formality.