Westlake agrees to further park upgrades
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Additional improvements will be made to Canyon Oaks Park in Westlake Village after residents made an appeal to the City Council.

Swings and two separate play areas will be designed for younger and older children; walking/jogging paths, benches and exercise stations will be established around the park perimeter; and a halfcourt basketball facility will be built. Park boundaries will be expanded to accommodate the changes.

Other changes approved by the council as part of an earlier plan will remain in place.

In September, the council passed an agreement to prepare conceptual designs for improvements to several city parks, including Canyon Oaks. The park was then slated to have play equipment updated, more shade trees planted, trash bins added and a disabled-accessible walkway installed.

Several Canyon Oaks residents addressed the council in the fall and requested further upgrades including restrooms, basketball courts, new drinking fountain, walking and jogging trails and separate children’s play areas.

During a neighborhood meeting with the Canyon Oaks community on Nov. 1, the city staff heard from residents about their hopes for the park. Opinions differed as to how the park could best be utilized, according to Canyon Oaks resident Bill Woods. Many neighbors, concerned about making the park attractive to people outside the community, rejected sports fields or lighting.

“A large element of people said they didn’t want organized sports,” Woods said.

Councilmember Jim Bruno reassured Woods that the city has no interest in developing the neighborhood park.

“It’s a matter of upgrading and modifying the park so that it’s consistent with the city’s other parks,” Bruno said.

The cost of the new improvements will be $3,300 on top of the estimated design fees and construction costs of about $560,480 for work at other parks, including Three Springs, Russell Ranch and Berniece Bennett. Construction is expected to begin in the spring and should be completed by the beginning of summer.

Woods thanked the council for listening to residents and reviewing Canyon Oaks Park improvement plans again.

“It’s very gratifying to see that this process worked as well as it has tonight,” Mayor Sue McSweeney said.