Ranch Simi Park District celebrates 50th anniversary in grand style





The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District is gearing up to celebrate its 50th anniversary this summer and the district is sparing no expense to put on memorable celebration.

The district is looking to hold the milestone event on Sat., Aug. 20, almost exactly 50 years to the day RSPRD was formed. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of the Simi Valley Recreation and Park District on Aug. 22, 1961.

Since that time, the special district, which is separate from the city, has established 50 parks and preserved more than 5,600 acres of open space now used for hiking, biking, horseback riding and wildlife preservation.

“We can’t underestimate the value of our district to the community,” said Ed Hayduk, assistant general manager for the district. “I think a lot of people will concur on that.”

At its Jan. 6 meeting, the park district board heard and approved conceptual ideas for the birthday bash. Hayduk said the idea is to put on an event that is “simple but impactful” and rallies the community together.

“The idea was to involve our staff as much as we can and showcase our parks,” he said.

Instead of one large event at a single location, the district would hold several events at its four major community parks, which are Rancho Santa Susana Community Center, Rancho Simi Community Park (or Duck Pond Park) in Simi Valley and Rancho Madera Community Park as well as Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park.

Each venue would feature food, music, children’s games and fireworks. And since it’s a birthday party, there would also be complimentary ice cream bars, Hayduk said.

The idea is that families would be able to walk, bike or drive to their local park, bring a picnic dinner or purchase food from one of the vendors, and enjoy the event, which will culminate with a 10-minute fireworks display.

The fireworks show in Oak Park would be a ground display due to restrictions by the Ventura County Fire Department.

Hayduk said the multiplevenue format will ensure that the party doesn’t affect the quality of life of neighboring residents.

“We’re dividing the 10,000 people we’re expected to get (among four parks),” he said. “This spreads is out.”

The cost for the celebration was initially estimated at $85,000 and included an event at Simi’s Rancho Tapo Community Park, also known as Lemon Park. However, due to concerns about clearance for a fireworks show at the park, the board followed Hayduk’s recommendation to remove it as a venue.

Eliminating Lemon Park from the lineup reduces the total estimated cost to $67,000, Hayduk said.

The Aug. 20 event would be in place of the third “Music in the Park” concert that is typically scheduled for the third Saturday in August, with the $3,700 budget for that event going to the birthday celebration.

In addition, the proceeds from a tournament celebrating the 30- year anniversary of Simi Hills Golf Course, about $4,000, would be contributed to the anniversary event.

While these funds will help, the district is looking to cover half of the cost of the event through community donations.

“We think we can raise between $25,000 and $35,000,” Hayduk said. “It’s not only a celebration, it’s a great community event by itself. We believe it’s worth funding even if it wasn’t celebrating our anniversary.”

Board chair Gene Hostetler expressed some concern over the high cost of the event. But board member Elaine Freeman said she sees the event as a chance to introduce residents to the district’s parks.

“I think it’s an investment. I think it’s a public relations opportunity but I also think it’s a good thing to bring attention to the district and all the progress we’ve made,” Freeman said.

The district has a list of about 120 partners it’s hoping will pitch in, Hayduk said, and it will start soliciting for private donations as soon as possible.

Most of the event costs will be included in the budget for fiscal year 2011-12, with the exception of the deposit for the fireworks display, which will cost about $25,500.



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