Daniel Jordan 
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Josh Gray, a lifelong resident of Simi Valley and current member of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Board of Directors, has announced he will resign from his position effective June 28, 2025.
Gray, 27, was elected to the board in 2020. He said his resignation is required because his new residence no longer falls within District 3, the area he was elected to represent. “While I do not wish to step down, I remain committed to observing the laws I pledged to uphold,” Gray said in a public letter.
Raised in Simi Valley, Gray has deep roots in the local community. He is an Eagle Scout and credits Simi Valley’s parks and recreation programs with shaping his early years. “I had birthdays in our parks, picnics under our trees, and I was one of those kids who benefited from our after-school programs,” he wrote.
As a board member, he focused on increasing access to public spaces and expanding programs for youth and families. He ran on a platform of protecting open space, improving affordable after-school care, and expanding inclusive recreation.
During his term, the District:
- Opened the Berylwood Teen Center and Skate Plaza
- Expanded and stabilized the After-School Club programs
- Protected 149 acres of open space, in partnership with the Poe Family
- Secured funding for projects including the Arroyo Simi Greenway Trail, Sinaloa BMX Track, and the Guardian Street Activity Center
- Continued upgrades to Rancho Santa Susana Community Park
- Prioritized fire resiliency, water conservation, and deferred maintenance
- Passed balanced budgets each year
Gray also supported the Rim of the Valley campaign, an effort to protect regional landscapes and support public health and the local economy.
“I said then that I wanted to create a legacy that preserves what makes our home special while planting seeds for future generations,” Gray said. “I still believe in that vision deeply.”
Though stepping down, Gray emphasized that his commitment to the community remains strong. “I will always be a fierce supporter of our open spaces, our youth, and the community we’ve worked so hard to nurture,” he said.
Community members can reach Gray through his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JoshGray4Parks/.
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has not yet announced how Gray’s seat will be filled.
