Recreation chief leaves Agoura

After 14 years as recreation manager for the city of Agoura Hills, Dale Sumersille will be making a shorter commute to her Oxnard home and enjoying an ocean view from work. She's accepted a general manager's position with the Isla Vista Recreation and Park District in Santa Barbara County.

Sumersille joined Agoura Hills' recreation department in 1990. She accepted a job with the city of Moorpark for two years, later returning to Agoura Hills to champion the historically accurate renovation of the Reyes Adobe, an 1850s rancho believed to be Agoura's first dwelling.

The 2004 public opening of the Reyes Adobe, in fact, is what Sumersille considers one of her greatest achievements as recreation manager.

"It's very unique, not a traditional recreation program," Sumersille said of the adobe, which is now open for tours.

The home is also the stage for Reyes Adobe Days, a three-day event held last year to celebrate the opening of the rancho. The family festival is expected to be an annual event, one which Sumersille helped bring to fruition.

Sumersille's contributions to the city extend beyond the Reyes Adobe opening and festival, according to Mayor Denis Weber. He said she was also instrumental in organizing SpringFest, a business fair, and staging equestrian events.

"She (was) all over the city," Weber said. "What an asset this lady has been."

"Dale has made this city a better place," said Councilmember Dan Kuperberg.

While she'll miss Agoura Hills, Sumersille said the move will bring many perks, including proximity to her home, which she shares with a partner and "four-legged kinds of kids," two dogs-a German shepherd/Shiba Inu mix and an Australian cattle dog. "It's a house full of fur and a house full of love," Sumersille said. "Family is very important to me," she said.

Sumersille's focus on the family guided many of the programs she developed with her colleagues.

She said community based programs, including the concerts in the park, Reyes Adobe Days, the Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display, add to the family ambience of Agoura Hills.

The new position will offer many challenges, Sumersille said. Since Isla Vista is considered a

"special district," governed by a board of directors, Sumersille will work closely with Santa Barbara County redevelopment agency and personnel from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

She said she'll be helping to develop a community center and state park.