Whether a 50-acre property owned by the Conejo Recreation and Park District should continue as an equestrian-only park or take on additional uses was the topic of a set of meetings hosted by the district last week.

The meetings, held April 22 and 25 were part of an ongoing community discussion that began two years ago. CRPD’s intent has been to gather residents’ opinions on the best uses for the park located next to the 23 Freeway at 1350 E. Avenida De Las Flores, recognizing needs and interests may change with a changing  Acquired by the district in 1972, the parkland has long been used as a space for horseback riding. Maintained by Equestrian Trails, Inc. Corral 37, the facility currently has one main arena and several smaller arenas and pens.

The latest iteration of the evolving park plans retains an equestrian area but adds picnic areas, a remote control car area, pickleball courts and a parking lot.

It is the result of feedback from four public meetings in September 2024 as well as a survey that garnered responses from 2,340 people.

“The intent of this [meeting] is to say, ‘Hey, we heard you guys’,” said Director of Park Planning Andrew Mooney, who led the meeting with Management Analyst Luis Jiménez and Park Planner Tabitha McAtee.

“This is a district-wide park, and our goal is to provide access and recreational amenities for the district,” Mooney told the more than 80 people in attendance at the April 22 meeting.

For many attendees, the feeling was they were not being heard. Some claimed the park is “supposed” to be a “permanent equestrian” area; however, Mooney clarified that the CRPD Master Plan, penned in 1999, does not describe the site as “permanent equestrian” and notes that some equestrian uses were labeled temporary.

Other attendees said the additional uses, especially the pickleball courts, would not be conducive to the equestrian use, noting noise may spook the horses.

“For those talking about pickleball courts and the need for that . . . I think to really understand why you get the reaction from the horse people is you just need to go there and see it,” said community member Andy Thompson. “It is truly a special place, and sometimes just keeping things simple is the way to go.”

Not everyone opposed the addition of pickleball courts. Allan Linderman, a USA Pickleball Association ambassador and Thousand Oaks coach, spoke in support.

Linderman pointed out sound proofing can be put around the courts, as the district did in other locations. Before he was finished speaking, however, he was interrupted by a man in the back of the room who exchanged words with Linderman before Mooney threatened to shut the doors and end the meeting if people could not be respectful.

Linderman continued to say he is confident the district would not move forward with construction if uses were not compatible.

“I understand you’re concerned about the equestrian community,” Linderman said. “But (CRPD is) not going to do anything if the sound is too loud.”

Some residents suggested a compromise: have pickleball courts, but locate them farther from the equestrian areas, possibly to the northern part of the park near the existing dog park.

Other community member concerns included a proposed new entrance on Janss Road. Residents said it could be confusing because of the nearby 23 Freeway on-ramps and described the area as already prone to accidents.

“I’m telling you that is one of the worst intersections because of the freeway on-ramps,” a antendee said. “If you put some sort of vehicle ingress there, that is going to be a nightmare.”

The next step for the park district will be to review feedback and further refine the plans.

“This is the first initial concept plan,” Mooney said, adding that officials will continue working through ideas with the community.

The district plans to return with a revised plan by the end of the year. See plan updates at crpd.org/CCMasterPlan.