(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Whether you’re stretching out on the lawn at a summer concert, coasting down the Arroyo Simi bike path, or watching your kids run wild at the neighborhood playground, the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has had a hand in making it all possible. On Wednesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m., residents will have a chance to shape what comes next—at a public meeting focused on budget planning and future capital improvements.
Hosted at the District’s main office at 4201 Guardian St. in Simi Valley, the gathering invites community members to weigh in on how park funds are spent across both Simi Valley and Oak Park. Officials say the public’s input is key to deciding which projects are prioritized—from new playgrounds and upgraded athletic fields to trail improvements and expanded recreation amenities.
“This meeting is a great opportunity for residents to weigh in on the future of our park district,” said Board Chair Ed Abele. “Public input plays a significant role in determining how we prioritize our projects to best serve the entire community.”
RSRPD manages more than 50 parks and facilities in Simi Valley and six in Oak Park, covering over 5,600 acres of open space, recreation areas and natural preserves. That includes the only public lap swimming and aquatics facility in Simi Valley, shaded playgrounds, ball fields, and trails that thread through the hills and along creeks. Standout amenities include the Strathearn Historical Park and Museum, the Arroyo Simi Greenway, the Medea Creek trail in Oak Park, and two popular golf courses—Simi Hills Golf Course and the par-3 Sinaloa Golf Course. The District also runs unique community resources like the skate plaza at Berylwood Park and the Oak Park Community Center and Gardens, which hosts classes, celebrations and family events.
In addition to daily use, these parks serve as gathering grounds for major community events, including the annual Happy Face Music Festival and the Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley’s Star-Spangled Rock & Country Jam and Fireworks Celebration. From music and fireworks to food trucks and family games, RSRPD venues help set the stage for moments that bring the community together year after year.
The 2024–25 budget included more than $30 million in planned spending, with property taxes as the largest funding source, followed by program fees, rentals, and a long-standing maintenance assessment. Capital projects last year included a $3 million irrigation system replacement at Simi Hills Golf Course, renovations to Rancho Simi Community Park’s aquatics facilities, and sports field lighting upgrades at four major parks.
District leaders say the May 14 meeting is a time for residents, local groups and stakeholders to speak up about what they’d like to see added or improved in their parks—whether that means shaded picnic areas, new restrooms, more walking paths, or support for youth and senior programming.
The full agenda and staff reports will be available online at www.rsrpd.org by May 9. For more information, contact the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District at 805-584-4400 or email info@rsrpd.us.
Public parks aren’t just green space—they’re where the community comes together. Thanks to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, both Simi Valley and Oak Park are fortunate to have access to well-maintained parks, trails, events and facilities that continue to enrich everyday life.
