Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is seeking candidates to represent the Oak Park community.

The Oak Park Parks and Recreation Committee meets quarterly at the community center on Kanan Road. It addresses park planning, development and recreational programming within the unincorporated county region.

Nominations will be open until Jan. 18. The elections will take place at the Municipal Advisory Council meeting on Jan. 25. Oak Park residents who attend the meeting will be eligible to vote.

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District manages parks and recreational activities in Simi Valley and Oak Park.

Several years ago the district formed an advisory committee to advocate for Oak Park residents.

The committee has seven members: one appointed by the Oak Park MAC, one appointed by Oak Park Unified School District and five elected residents.

Oak Park Councilmember Mike Green said the committee serves an important role and has accomplished many notable goals.

“Rancho Simi is not here in Oak Park but they run our parks. So the committee represents the community, allowing (the park district) to hear what local residents want,” Green said.

The MAC representative, who has been on the committee for about six years, added that Rancho Simi leaders appreciate the input of local representatives.

Among other things, the committee advocated for a new dog park and splash pad; both were recently constructed at Oak Canyon Park.

The committee also helps to identify and solve problems as they occur, Green said.

The upcoming election will include a minor change, Rancho Simi officials said in a press release.

In the past all five elected members were selected at once, which at times led to the election of all new members. To reduce the corresponding loss of knowledge, Rancho Simi officials determined that terms for the Oak Park committee will be staggered, with three members elected one year and two the following year.

The transition to staggered terms will begin after the January elections.

All five members will be elected at that time, but the two elected individuals receiving the lowest number of votes will serve one-year terms while the other three elected individuals will serve two-year terms.

Elected members will be eligible to seek reelection at the conclusion of their terms.

Oak Park residents have until 5 p.m. Jan. 18 to place their names on the ballot.

To apply for a position, call Rancho Simi recreation supervisor Renee Peace at (818) 865- 9304 or general manager Larry Peterson at (805) 584-4407.