CONEJO PARK DISTRICT VIES FOR TOP HONOR.

Byline: Enrique Rivero Daily News Staff Writer

For the third year in a row, the Conejo Park and Recreation District is a finalist in the National Sporting Goods Association Sports Foundation contest pitting park districts against each other.

It is up against another California district - the Department of Parks and Recreation in Sunnyvale - as well as the Chandler Community Services Department in Chandler, Ariz., and the South Suburban Park and Recreation District in Littleton, Colo.

``This is the third year we've been in the final four,'' said Tex Ward, general manager of the Conejo district.

In fact, it's not an easy prize to win, said Larry Weindruch, a spokesman for Mt. Prospect, Ill.-based National Sporting Goods Association. It may take several times as a finalist for a park district to walk away with the prize winner's plaque, he said.

``It's probably the most prestigious award that a park (system) can win,'' Weindruch said. ``To be a finalist is a big honor, because it is such a hard award to win.''

Park districts are nominated by retailers in their areas who are members of the National Sporting Goods Association. The contest is run in cooperation with the National Recreation and Park Association, Weindruch said.

Judging will take place in June, with the winners in each category to be announced and honored at the National Recreation and Park Association congress in October in Kansas City, Mo.

Districts will be judged on improvement, service, continuing development, planning and degree of public participation and acceptance of park programs.

Winners get a large plaque, Weindruch said.

``It's not a cheesy thing. It's made by the same people that make the Oscar,'' he said.

Ward said the Conejo district probably stands as good a chance as ever this year and has illustrated its qualifications in a required videotape. The video emphasizes accomplishments and innovative programs like the McCrea Ranch acquisition, the youth outreach program and the teen and senior centers.

Though these programs should make the judges sit up and pay attention, Ward said, the video itself may be another matter. Unlike other park districts that submitted professionally produced videos, the Conejo district did its video in-house.

``I think our application is better every year, but this is a nationwide competition, and there are some outstanding programs, and some of the videos (have been) awfully well done,'' Ward said. ``But I think ours has gotten better.''

PARK DISTRICT FACTS

ESTABLISHED: Jan. 18, 1963.

BUDGET: $9 million.

EMPLOYEES: 75 full-time workers.

SERVICE AREA:More than 110,000 residents.

PARKS: 33 developed sites.

OPEN SPACE:14,000 acres.

FACILITIES:Three community centers plus the Goebel Senior Adult Center and the Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

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Box: PARK DISTRICT FACTS (See text)