A Former Park Director Sounds the Alarm: ‘Don’t Let Simi Valley Miss This Chance’
Daniel Jordan 
Letter Sparks Renewed Push for Simi Valley’s Activity Center Phase III
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — For years, residents have said it: “There’s nothing to do in Simi.” That frustration could finally have an answer—if the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD) completes Phase III of its Activity Center Project on Guardian Street.
The project, now in planning and fundraising stages, aims to turn the district’s headquarters into a full-service community hub with gyms, gaming lounges, and indoor recreation for all ages. Supporters say it’s the key to giving Simi Valley families more places to gather, play, and learn—without leaving town.
A Decade in the Making
The district began the project in 2018, moving from its long-time home on Sycamore Drive to a larger building at 4201 Guardian Street. Phases I and II combined administrative offices, maintenance, and recreation operations under one roof. But Phase III—the recreational core—remains unfinished.
The district’s own project summary describes Phase III as “the heart of the building,” designed to create a space centered on community connection and activity. Once complete, it will transform the Guardian Street site into a multi-level indoor recreation center offering:
Upper Level amenities:
- Multi-purpose rooms for classes, performances, and rentals
- Kitchen and snack bar for events
- Viewing lounge with gaming areas, sports simulators, and TVs
Lower Level amenities:
- Multi-use sports courts
- Indoor playground and obstacle course
- Gymnastics and martial arts space
- Fitness gym
- Party rooms
- Sensory and virtual reality room
- Reception and community desk
More Than Just a Gym
Former RSRPD Director Josh Gray recently wrote to The Acorn urging the district not to delay the project.
“This isn’t just a facility,” he wrote. “It’s a long-promised investment in our youth, families, and quality of life.”
Gray called Phase III a “crown jewel” for Simi Valley—a project that could offer safe, engaging spaces for children and teens while providing indoor recreation options during heat waves and rain storms. He warned that talk of de-prioritizing the project could put it at risk of never being built.
A Community That Wants More
Simi Valley’s population includes thousands of families and young residents. Reports show that nearly 20% of county residents are under 18, and the median age is just under 39. Those numbers show that local demand for recreation space is strong—and growing.
The estimated timeline for Phase III construction is 33 to 47 months, though no firm start date has been set. The district has said the design emphasizes flexibility and relevance, with rooms that can shift between uses to serve everything from birthday parties to community theater.
Why It Matters
Simi Valley’s history is built on family life and open space. Since the suburban boom of the 1960s, recreation has always been part of the city’s identity. The Phase III project continues that legacy—but indoors, for a new generation.
As Gray put it: “Let’s finish what we started.”
