Administration

In 1962, voters created the Conejo Recreation & Park District when folks moving into the Conejo Valley decided they wanted to create local parks and recreation programs for their growing families.

Our Mission

To enrich the quality of life for our community by preserving and enhancing recreational opportunities, parks, and open space.

Today, the District serves nearly 140,000 Conejo Valley residents by maintaining more than 50 parks and recreation facilities, offering thousands of classes each year, hosting dozens of community events, and, in cooperation with the City of Thousand Oaks, caring for 15,000+ acres of open space and 140 miles of trails via the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA).

CRPD is full of passionate and dedicated employees who take pride in providing quality parks and interesting and diverse programs. We consist of 91 full-time, 53 regular part-time, and approximately 325 part-time/seasonal employees, not to mention our myriad of contract instructors who supply us with outstanding recreational offerings. Plus, we rely heavily on—and are so very grateful for—more than 1,000 volunteers each year!

Our annual operating budget for the general fund is $20,000,000, approximately 70% of which comes from property taxes. Approximately six cents of every base property tax dollar is allocated to CRPD. So a big THANK YOU to Conejo Valley property owners for your ongoing investment in your community.

Beneficial partnerships with other government agencies like the City, the County, and the School District, and with community institutions like California Lutheran University and a host of service clubs and non-profit organizations enable residents to enjoy significantly more facilities and recreational services than we could hope to offer on our own.

CRPD Staff and Board of Directors are dedicated to improving the quality of life in our community and are proud of what your Park District has to offer.

Our Vision

Our vision is to serve our community and be recognized as a top recreation and park district in the nation we must:

be financially stable
be the primary source of leisure activities and services
match our programs and facilities to demographic needs
distinguish CRPD as a leading partner with other agencies and organizations for recreation, park and open space needs
be an employer of choice
evaluate and leverage emerging opportunities, while maintaining our facilities and infrastructure
update the District’s Strategic Plan annually
inform and educate about recreation, parks and open space
engage in, and promote, environmentally responsible and sustainable facilities and business practices.

Our General Manager

Jim Friedl
805-495-6471
Email: jfriedl@crpd.org

Jim grew up in Agoura Hills attending public schools and graduated from Agoura High School. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Urban Planning from UC San Diego and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. While in law school, Jim also received a certificate in dispute resolution from the Strauss Institute.

Jim was hired as an attorney for the City of Thousand Oaks in 1994. After five years of legal practice, he moved into public administration as a Deputy City Manager for the City of Thousand Oaks.

In 2003, Jim was selected to be an Assistant General Manager for the Conejo Recreation and Park District. Upon the retirement of Tex Ward in 2006, Jim became the Park District's third General Manager in its 56-year history.

In addition to his work as GM, he participates in various other organizations, professional associations and nonprofits.

California Association of Park and Recreation Indemnity (CAPRI), Board member (CAPRI is a statewide liability, property and workers compensation insurance pool of more than 60 recreation and park districts)
Play Conejo Board Member
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), Finance Officer
Conejo Open Space Conservation Authority (COSCA), Joint Chief Administrative Officer
California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CAPRD), Legislative Committee member (served 10 years as Chair)
Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, Advisory Board member
Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks, Board Member
California Special District's Association (CSDA), Certified Special District Administrator

Jim has written no books, though he has Tweeted quite a few times. He is married to Tracy – an attorney, mom and volunteer. When their four kids were young he spent many years coaching youth sports. Now that the kids are young adults, they are getting more independent and more tattoos with each passing year. So Jim is now pursing his passion of hiking and biking in the local mountains and soaking in the wonders of our natural world.

Our Senior Staff

Public Policies & Documents

California Public Records Act SB272

Which Enterprise Systems Are Covered by SB 272

Governor Brown approved SB 272 in October 2015, adding section 6270.5 to the California Public Records Act (the “Act,” Government Code Sections 6250-6276.48). Section 6270.5 defines an enterprise system as a software application or computer system that collects, stores, exchanges, and analyzes information that the agency uses that is (1) a multi-departmental system or system that contains information collected about the public and (2) a system of record. A system of record means a system that serves as an original source of data within an agency.

Stated plainly, SB 272 requires local agencies to create a catalog of multi-departmental systems or systems containing information about the public that stores original records and posts the catalog on their agency website.

Which Systems Are Excluded

Enterprise systems do not include cyber security systems, infrastructure, and mechanical control systems, or information that would reveal vulnerabilities to, or otherwise increase the potential for an attack on, a public agency's IT system. Additionally, section 6270.5 does not automatically require disclosure of the specific records that the IT systems collect, store, exchange or analyze, however, the Act's other provisions pertaining to disclosure of such records still apply.

CRPD SB272 Catalog

Ordinance Manual

Quimby Fees

This fee is also referred to as the Park Dedication Fee, and it is included in the City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Code. The general purpose is to provide for parks, recreational facilities, and open space areas for the health, safety, and general welfare of future residents and owners of property, and to encourage the orderly development of the City. Under this title, the code requires dedication of land, payment of fees, or both for park and recreational purposes as a condition of a residential development permit. A copy of the municipal code is available through the City of Thousand Oaks' website at www.toaks.org.

Philosophy of the Code

The basic philosophy of the ordinance is to ensure that each residential unit contributes a fair share of land or money to provide recreation areas and facilities to serve residents generated by the development.

The Conejo Recreational & Park District is the agency responsible for acquisition, development, and maintenance of recreation and park areas in the Thousand Oaks-Conejo Valley area and, therefore, the collector and responsible agency for Quimby fees or land. Quimby fees collected are set into basic planning zones and areas, and must be expended to serve the residential area in which they are collected. A check against the District Master Plan, available at the District's administrative office, can better define particular zones and areas.

By code, Quimby fees must be expended for acquisition, rehabilitation, and/or development of parklands. The actual maintenance and operation of the parks is done through the property tax. The fees are based on the type of units and population density, fair market value of the undeveloped land, and recreation and park district standards. Depending on the type of the project, the City code provides a formula for fee calculation. (For further information regarding the Quimby fee formula, see City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Section 9-3 1601-1612).

Instructions

Complete the Applicant's Tract Information Sheet as follows:

Project Identification: Depending on project size, provide a case number, lot number, or street address.

Gross Acreage: The overall acreage of the proposed tract or subdivision. In small divisions or single lots, the acreage of the total project or single lot.

Area in Open Space: Usually for larger projects that intend to leave a quantity of open undevelopable land for either an association or public maintenance and use. Do not include open lands that are a part of residential lots.

Private Recreation Areas: Usually for larger projects that intend to provide a set of private recreation areas as amenities for their tract residents. Park credit might be available if the code requirements are met.

Number of Dwelling Units: Based on the proposed final number of units approved. Circle the correct category of single family, townhouse, apartment, and mobile home.

Planning Department Advisement: Zoning; Tract Number

Public Works Advisement: Area in Streets; Excess Street Area; Excess Street Improvement Costs; Amount of Public Works

In order to calculate specific Quimby fees, the following must be submitted:

Large Projects or Subdivisions (greater than four units)

Completed tract information sheet.
Certified appraisal* of the undeveloped land.
Latest tentative or proposed final tract map.
City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department - Off-site and on-site improvement fee calculations.

Small Projects (4-units and less)

Completed tract information sheet.
A certified appraisal*, copy of a recent escrow purchase price, letter of appraisal with comparable prices, or other agreed-upon method to establish value.
Tentative or a proposed final plot plan of the project.
For single lots with a proposed single unit, please submit a copy of the assessor's map showing the lot location identified with the assessor's number.
City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department - Off-site improvement fee calculations pages 1-3.

With the State’s passage of Senate Bill 13, local agencies and special districts can no longer impose impact fees on development of accessory dwelling units less than 750 SF. This new law will significantly reduce the District’s revenue stream which will result in less money for local park improvements.

The documents below are for informational purposes only.

Methodology for Calculating Quimby Fees for Accessory Dwelling Units >750 SF (PDF)
Quimby Act Calculation Sheet for ADUs (PDF)
Quimby Act Calculation Sheet for SFD/SFA/Condo/Apt/MH (PDF)

Should you have questions, use the contact information below.

* SPECIAL NOTE: The Conejo Recreation & Park District requires that all certified appraisals be prepared by a member of the Appraiser's Institute.

Submit all information to:

Conejo Recreation & Park District
Bill Palermo, Parks Analyst
805-495-6471 Ext. 1115
403 W Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

PLEASE NOTE: PAYMENT OF A PARK DEDICATION FEE IS AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.

Recreation and Park District Enabling Statute

Wi-Fi Terms & Conditions of Service

Revised September 2013

Terms & Conditions of Service

By using the Conejo Recreation and Park District’s (CRPD) Public Wi-Fi Internet Service, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions which are a binding agreement between you and the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

Personal Use Only

You may use the service and technology provided to you by the Conejo Recreation and Park District for the sole purpose of accessing the internet and certain online CRPD services as described here. Conejo Recreation and Park District will give you an IP address each time you access the CRPD Public WiFi and it may change. You may not use the CRPD Public WiFi for any other reason, including reselling any aspect of the Public WiFi service. Other examples of improper activities include, without limitation:

Changes In Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms of Service and CRPD Public WiFi; Termination

We may modify or terminate the CRPD Public WiFi service and these Terms of Service and any accompanying policies, for any reason, and without notice, including the right to terminate the service with or without notice. Please review these Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms of Service from time to time so that you will be apprised of any changes. Upon any such termination, any and all rights granted by Conejo Recreation and Park District to you shall terminate.

Privacy Policy

You understand and agree that Conejo Recreation and Park District may access, preserve, and disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in a good faith belief that such access, preservation or disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with legal process or protect the rights and property of Conejo Recreation and Park District or the public.

Your Responsibilities

You understand that CRPD Public WiFi, which utilizes wireless technologies, is not inherently secure and that wireless communications can be intercepted by technology designed and intended for that purpose. We will not be liable to you or any other party for any lack of security that may result from your use of CRPD Public WiFi. You agree that you are responsible for providing security measures that are suited for your intended use of CRPD Public WiFi. For example, you shall take full responsibility for taking adequate measures for safeguarding your data from loss. Also, other than the WiFi signal provided by Conejo Recreation and Park District, you must provide all equipment, technology and software to use CRPD Public WiFi.

Disclaimers

THE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND YOUR USE THEREOF IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. CONEJO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT DOES NOT MAKE, AND HEREBY DISCLAIMS, ANY AND ALL OTHER EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NONINFRINGEMENT AND TITLE, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE, OR TRADE PRACTICE. CONEJO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICES WILL PERFORM AT A PARTICULAR SPEED, OR WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR SECURE.

Limitation of Liability

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL EITHER CONEJO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT OR ITS OFFCIALS, REPRESENTATIVES, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE, OR FOR ANY LOST REVENUES, LOST PROFITS OR LOSS OF BUSINESS REGARDLESS OF THE CAUSE AND WHETHER OR NOT FORESEEABLE. In addition, Conejo Recreation and Park District and its officials, representatives, employees, agents or affiliates will not be responsible for any damages, losses, expenses or costs that you suffer AS A RESULT OF: (i) any interruption or failure of the Services OR Products; (ii) the downloading or use of any information, data or materials obtained via the Services OR FROM THE Internet; (iii) any failure to complete a transaction on the Internet OR USING THE SERVICES or ANY loss of data due to delays, non-deliveries, mis-deliveries, or Service interruptions; (iv) ANYTHING BEYOND THE REASONABLE CONTROL OF CONEJO RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO any interruption or failure of a third party's services, software, equipment or network; (v) any unauthorized use or modification of Services or Products or combination of Services or Products with other services, products or equipment; (VI) viruses, worms, trojan horses, or other undesirable data or software; or (vii) the attempt by unauthorized users (e.g., hackers) to obtain access to your data, web-site, computers, or networks.

Indemnity

You agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Conejo Recreation and Park District, its officials, representatives, employees, agents or affiliates from and against any third party claim arising from or in any way related to your use of CRPD Public WiFi, including any liability, damages or expense arising from all claims, losses, damages (actual and consequential), suits, judgments, litigation costs and attorneys' fees, of every kind and nature.

Miscellaneous Provisions

These Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms and Conditions of Service will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California with venue in Ventura County California. If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision or portion of the Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms and Conditions of Service to be unenforceable, the remainder of the Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms and Conditions of Service will continue in full force and effect.

These Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms and Conditions of Service constitute the entire agreement between the parties and supersede and replace all prior understandings or agreements, written or oral, regarding CRPD Public WiFi. Any waiver of any provision of the Conejo Recreation and Park District Terms and Conditions of Service will be effective only if in writing and signed by the General Manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District.

Water Conservation

Turf Conversion Info & Maps

In response to the current ongoing severe California drought, rapidly escalating water prices, and statewide policies and laws encouraging the reduction in the use of outdoor water (especially turf), the Conejo Recreation and Park District is continuing its water conservation efforts. These include:

Projects to convert non-essential turf to wood chips and/or drought-tolerant plants. We have turned off water on portions of nearly every park, totaling approximately 70 acres. See maps below for each park.
Projects to modify and upgrade irrigation systems
Projects to use reclaimed water for irrigation
Modifying the annual field refurbishment process

Below are turf conversion maps for each park.

Turf Reduction – Banyan Park (2.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Borchard Community Park (2.7 MB)

Turf Reduction – Canada Park (1.8 MB)

Turf Reduction – Conejo Community Park (2.3 MB)

Turf Reduction – Conejo Creek North Park (2.6 MB)

Turf Reduction – Conejo Creek South (3.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Cypress Park (2.0 MB)

Turf Reduction – Del Prado Playfield (547.2 KB)

Turf Reduction – Dog Park (1.9 MB)

Turf Reduction – Dos Vientos Community Park (3.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Dos Vientos Neighborhood Park (2.3 MB)

Turf Reduction – El Parque de la Paz (2.1 MB)

Turf Reduction – Estella Park (1.9 MB)

Turf Reduction – Evenstar Park (2.0 MB)

Turf Reduction – Fiore Playfields (2.5 MB)

Turf Reduction – Glenwood Park (2.4 MB)

Turf Reduction – Hickory Park (2.3 MB)

Turf Reduction – Kimber Park (2.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Lang Ranch Neighborhood Park (2.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Lynn Oaks Park (2.3 MB)

Turf Reduction – Newbury Gateway Park (1.8 MB)

Turf Reduction – North Ranch Neighborhood Park (2.5 MB)

Turf Reduction – North Ranch Playfield (2.6 MB)

Turf Reduction – Northwood Park (2.5 MB)

Turf Reduction – Oakbrook Neighborhood Park (586.1 KB)

Turf Reduction – Old Meadows Park (1.9 MB)

Turf Reduction – Pepper Tree Park (2.7 MB)

Turf Reduction – Rancho Conejo Playfield (2.4 MB)

Turf Reduction – Russell Access 1 (2.1 MB)

Turf Reduction – Russell Access 2 (2.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Russell Access 3 (2.4 MB)

Turf Reduction – Russell Park (2.5 MB)

Turf Reduction – Southshore Hills Park (2.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Spring Meadow Park (2.2 MB)

Turf Reduction – Stagecoach Inn Park (1.7 MB)

Turf Reduction – Suburbia Park (1.9 MB)

Turf Reduction – Sunset Hills Park (2.3 MB)

Turf Reduction – Sycamore Neighborhood Park (2.1 MB)

Turf Reduction – Thousand Oaks Community Park (2.4 MB)

Turf Reduction – Triunfo Park (6.1 MB)

Turf Reduction – Walnut Grove Park (2.0 MB)

Turf Reduction – Waverly Park (1.9 MB)

Turf Reduction – Wendy Park (2.4 MB)

Turf Reduction – Wildflower Playfield (2.6 MB)

Turf Reduction – Wildwood Neighborhood Park (2.2 MB)

Water Conservation & How You Can Help

You Can Help Our Efforts

To report water leaks, broken sprinklers, over-watering due to malfunctioning controllers, or anything that results in water waste, please use the D.R.I.P. Water Watcher form at the bottom of this page. Thank you for helping us conserve!

Message From The General Manager

Although the Governor's April 2015 Executive Order was lifted in April 2017 with Executive Order B-40-17 and previously modified with the May 2016 Executive Order B-27-16 (Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life), long range climate modeling strongly indicates a hotter and drier Southern California in the future; without a strong commitment by the District to water conservation, the water resources in the Conejo Valley are jeopardized. Thus, the District will build upon its past efforts, move forward, and continue to do its "fair share" and be a leader in the community with regards to water conservation.

Water Conservation Plan

The District's attached Water Conservation Plan discusses multiple issues related to water conservation. With each issue, the Water Conservation Plan discusses the District's current practice, further District objectives, and challenges in accomplishing the objectives.

Utilizing the District's Strategic Plan, historical usage, and Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life recommendation (which provide the framework for outdoor irrigation standards utilizing evapotranspiration rates for the area, and irrigated and irrigable landscape areas), the District has set an annual water consumption target of 503 units of water per developed acre (1 unit of water equals 748 gallons).

In the last full fiscal year, 2019-2020, the District used 390 units per acre, 22.5% below its water target of 503 units per acre.

Water Conservation Plan - Updated October 2020

D.R.I.P. Water Watcher Program

Report park sprinkler problems and concerns by participating in the Do Report Irrigation Problems (D.R.I.P.) Water Watcher Program. Use the simple form below to report water leaks, broken sprinklers, over-watering due to malfunctioning controllers, or anything that results in water waste.

More Information about Water Conservation

Finance & Audit

The Management Services Division of Conejo Recreation & Park District protects assets, oversees financial policies, and manages revenue and payments. Finance prepares the annual budget and provides regular reports and budget analysis to guide and grow the District's financial health.

Reports, Budgets & Policies

Economic Impact Report

Financial Reserves Policy

District’s reported Financial Transaction Report:
https://districts.bythenumbers.sco.ca.gov/#!/year/2019/operating/0/entityname/Conejo+Recreation+and+Park+District/0/districttype2?vis=lineChart

District’s reported board member and staff compensation:
https://publicpay.ca.gov/Reports/SpecialDistricts/SpecialDistrict.aspx?entityid=1961&year=2019&rpt=5

Annual Disclosure of Board Member or Employee Reimbursements (Government Code Section 53065.5 (b))

The 2019-2021 Final Budget is available for inspection at the Conejo Recreation & Park District office, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, California between the hours of 8:00am and 4:30pm on any regular business day.

If you have a request for additional finance-related information, please contact Melissa Smith at 805-495-6471 or email at msmith@crpd.org.

In compliance with California State Legislature Bill AB 1509, copies of our Elected Officials' Statement of Economic Interests - Form 700 - may be obtained at the County Of Ventura Office: 800 S. Victoria Ave. Ventura, CA 93009. http://www.ventura.org/responsibilities/form-700-filings

For more information, please visit the Fair Political Practices Commission website: http://www.fppc.ca.gov/Form700.html