TAPO PARK OPENING DELAYED HOMELESS FEARS DELAY PARK OPENING.

Byline: Angie Valencia-Martinez Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - A Ventura County park closed by the 2003 wildfires will not reopen this month as planned because of neighbors' concerns that it could be used as a homeless encampment.

Tapo Canyon Park was expected to reopen with the help of Waste Management/G.I. Industries, owner of the Simi Valley Landfill, which offered to clean up the 211-acre park.

But Supervisor Judy Mikels, who represents Simi Valley, recently asked the company to postpone the work so she can meet with residents who have called her office to complain about the project.

``Some of these regional parks and camping facilities turn into permanent homes for the homeless,'' she said. ``That is a valid concern.''

Nearly $1 million worth of improvements are planned, including camper hook-ups for overnight parking, picnic areas and a children's play area.

Mikels will meet with neighbors, city and park district leaders to address the issue, possibly as early as next week.

``There are concerns about taking RVs up there,'' said City Councilman Glen Becerra, adding that homeless people could end up staying there for extended periods. ``They need to be addressed. This is a delay, but ultimately we'll get together and make sure it's a great regional facility for our community.''

Mikels said issues concerning final design must be reviewed before the county's park department proceeds with the project, which requires approval from the Board of Supervisors.

``It needs to be more of an asset to the overall community,'' she said. ``I don't want it to become a permanent homeless campground.''

Mikels said she will ask staff members to study whether the county can find ways to limit people's stay at the campsites.

``The county has to control or better limit when people are there and how long they can stay.''

In 2003, fires swept through the park, at 4651 Tapo Canyon Road, damaging more than 100 trees, gutting the restrooms, equestrian center and parking lot and causing major flooding.

It is unclear when the cleanup will take place, but Waste Management officials said they will remove mud and debris from the park during the first phase of the cleanup.

``As soon as the county finalizes its plans for Tapo Canyon Park, we're ready to go in and assist with the cleanup,'' said spokesman Eric Rose.

Angie Valencia-Martinez, [phone]

angie.valencia(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) The reopening of Tapo Canyon Park has been delayed because neighbors fear it will attract the homeless.

(2) A bench destroyed by a brush fire in 2003 sits unrepaired in Tapo Canyon Park as new greenery starts to grow.

(3) Even though Tapo Canyon Park is closed, this golden retriever finds a sunny place to take a snooze.

(4) A chunk of burned wood from the grounds of the Tapo Adobe, which was spared by the 2003 fire, still stands.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News