LOOK OUT BELOW—Above, 6-year-old Lazarus Holl of Agoura takes aim with a water gun at the Oak Park splash pad. Right, 8- year-old Connor Fujishin of Calabasas receives a neck massage. WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers Park grounds and recreation programs run by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District in Oak Park are becoming increasingly popular with the public, especially now that summer is in full force.

The Rancho Simi district oversees open spaces, 10 parks and a community center in Oak Park. It also offers recreational programs and community events such as concerts and outdoor movies.

The district’s board of directors meets in Oak Park twice a year to allow residents to participate in decisions that affect the recreation services in their community.

Renee Peace, recreation supervisor at the community center on Kanan Road, said foot traffic and reservations for the facilities at Oak Canyon Community Park have increased noticeably since a new dog park and splash pad opened in May.

Attendance at summer camp programs also is up, Peace said. In addition to regular sports camps, the district offers specialty programs for acting, chess, dance and cheerleading.

Because of the programs have a waiting list, Oak Park recreation leaders plan to increase the number of camps in August, Peace said.

She also discussed upcoming events, including a classic moonlight movie, Bunko and a teen summit.

Peace introduced new recreation specialist, Richard Lemmo, to the park board.

With Lemmo’s help, the district expanded its softball league and created an adult basketball league in Oak Park, Peace said. The new league will consist of six teams. Games will take place at Medea Creek Middle School starting Sept 1.

Peace said a district-hosted Anime Night and movie premiere will take place in the Oak Park Community Center on Sept. 10 and feature Vic Mignogna, a professional music composer, producer and veteran voice actor who portrays Edward Elric in the Japanese anime, “Fullmetal Alchemist,” and provides voices for other productions.

“We’re getting the biggest voice actor that you can get right now. We’re very excited about that,” Peace said.

Vicki Rankin, vice president of the Oak Park Community Garden, also spoke to the board.

Rankin said the community garden at Kanan Road and Sunnycrest Drive serves a diverse group of people, including seniors, families with young children and professionals such as chefs and therapists.

“The garden allows people to grow their own food. It also allows us to come together and learn about gardening and have a sense of community,” Rankin said. About a half-dozen people are on a waiting list hoping to get a plot at the garden, she added.

After the presentations, Rancho Simi leaders reviewed their five-year budget and approved a $22,300 bid to Envicom Corp. to begin repair on a 200- foot section of the Medea Creek streambed.

The streambed near Oak Park High School eroded about 10 years ago during a severe rainstorm. Last year the district hired a company to restore the streambed, but heavy storms in January caused more damage.

The $85,000 creek restoration will start in mid-September and end in early October.