T.O. TAKES INPUT ON PARK PLANS; OPEN-SPACE USE AT ISSUE.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

From its equestrian riding arenas and hiking trails to its athletic fields and plain old, dusty open spaces, Conejo Creek Park has become the ``Central Park'' of Thousand Oaks, drawing hundreds into the heart of the city.

``The district knows that this park means a lot of things to different people and evokes strong community sentiment,'' said Debra Meyer, an avid mountain biker who can ride from the back yard of her home in Conejo Oaks straight onto the park's network of trails.

``And they know that it's important to include the community in developing any future plans for the park,'' added Meyer, one of about 60 residents who attended the Conejo Recreation and Park District's first meeting to discuss a new master plan for the park Monday.

As CRPD officials roll up their sleeves and get to work on a new plan for the park this month, local residents are offering their own priorities for the area's more than 120 acres of precious recreational land.

For Tim Heyne, president of the Thousand Oaks Little League, the park's athletic fields to the south have given hundreds of local young people a place to practice and play in a safe, central location.

Terry Graves said he chose his home in Waverly Heights because it overlooked the park's equestrian area - the last such public facility in town.

``I want to make sure the district keeps the park compatible with the horses. I'm looking for dirt, grass and trees - not more paved roads and concession stands,'' Graves said.

Since the last master plan was approved more than 20 years ago, the park's uses have grown to include a host of ``temporary activities'' that were not included in the previous plan. The park's soccer fields have operated on a special-use permit for more than 20 years.

``We need an up-to-date planning tool. A number of organizations are making investments in the property but want more of a sense of permanence - that those investments in sections of the park are for something,'' said Tom Sorenson, administrator for parks and planning.

The district is forming a focus group comprising stake holders and concerned residents to discuss the master plan in addition to scheduling a series of meetings for the public over the next five months. Sorenson said he still hopes to get residents from neighborhoods near Calle Durazno and Paige Lane to join the focus group.

On Monday, the first public meeting yielded a full spectrum of community input about the park - from residents eager to see the park expanded to those adamant about keeping the park just as it is.

``We're concerned that the district will try to take away what we have fought so hard to preserve,'' said Barbara Kloster, a 25-year resident of the Waverly Heights area and a member of the Equestrian Trails Inc., which organizes regular horse shows and equestrian training programs at the park.

Two years ago, Kloster joined hundreds of residents in opposing a proposal to build an athletic complex at the park.

``We don't want sidewalks and waterfalls going through an area where people and horses use the trails. This is a pristine and special area, and we'd like to keep it that way,'' Kloster said.

For others, the process will surely be one of give-and-take to accommodate not only existing recreational uses but also potential uses the community could benefit from.

``I think the time has come for the park to expand to meet new needs in the community. But the matter is how and to what degree,'' said Heyne, a 12-year resident.

At Monday's meeting, park officials and architects said they are beginning the master planning process with a blank slate to be filled over the course of the coming months with community input. The final master plan the board of directors would approve would be a legal document, which could be amended as needed.

For more information, call the Conejo Recreation and Park District at [phone].