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About

A scenic playground with slides and structures, surrounded by greenery, under a mountainous backdrop.
A child sits on a vintage Ford tractor at an outdoor event with people and colorful decorations in the background.
A community event with people gathering, event staff assisting, and children with baskets, possibly for a festive activity.
Two people kneeling and smiling with a dog on grass at an outdoor event with tents in the background.
Two people sitting at a table outdoors with baskets, a water bottle, and colorful balloons in the background.
Colorful playground with fish-shaped tunnel and twisty slides under a clear blue sky.
Two musicians in cowboy hats, one playing a guitar and singing, the other on a double bass, performing outdoors under a blue canopy.
A person with a helmet is preparing to skateboard on a ramp in a park.
A group of women sitting at a table with bingo cards, daubers, and snacks, smiling at the camera.
A group of smiling children and an adult pose under a shelter, holding crafts and signs saying, "Our Park and Recreation Story!"
Four children smiling and playing with wooden blocks in a colorful room.
A person in a blue shirt is preparing to bat in a softball game on a dirt field with a backstop and onlookers.
A lifeguard helping a child in a swimming pool.
Three people playing foosball indoors, with others in the background.
Kids playing field hockey on grass while adults watch nearby in a park setting.
People and dogs at an outdoor event with tents and flags, enjoying a sunny day.
A scenic playground with slides and structures, surrounded by greenery, under a mountainous backdrop.
A child sits on a vintage Ford tractor at an outdoor event with people and colorful decorations in the background.
A community event with people gathering, event staff assisting, and children with baskets, possibly for a festive activity.
Two people kneeling and smiling with a dog on grass at an outdoor event with tents in the background.
Two people sitting at a table outdoors with baskets, a water bottle, and colorful balloons in the background.
Colorful playground with fish-shaped tunnel and twisty slides under a clear blue sky.
Two musicians in cowboy hats, one playing a guitar and singing, the other on a double bass, performing outdoors under a blue canopy.
A person with a helmet is preparing to skateboard on a ramp in a park.
A group of women sitting at a table with bingo cards, daubers, and snacks, smiling at the camera.
A group of smiling children and an adult pose under a shelter, holding crafts and signs saying, "Our Park and Recreation Story!"
Four children smiling and playing with wooden blocks in a colorful room.
A person in a blue shirt is preparing to bat in a softball game on a dirt field with a backstop and onlookers.
A lifeguard helping a child in a swimming pool.
Three people playing foosball indoors, with others in the background.
Kids playing field hockey on grass while adults watch nearby in a park setting.
People and dogs at an outdoor event with tents and flags, enjoying a sunny day.

In 1962, voters created the Conejo Recreation & Park District when folks moving into the Conejo Valley decided they wanted to create local parks and recreation programs for their growing families.

Our Mission

To enrich the quality of life for our community by preserving and enhancing recreational opportunities, parks, and open space.

Today, the District serves nearly 140,000 Conejo Valley residents by maintaining more than 50 parks and recreation facilities, offering thousands of classes each year, hosting dozens of community events, and, in cooperation with the City of Thousand Oaks, caring for 15,000+ acres of open space and 140 miles of trails via the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA).

CRPD is full of passionate and dedicated employees who take pride in providing quality parks and interesting and diverse programs. We consist of 91 full-time, 53 regular part-time, and approximately 325 part-time/seasonal employees, not to mention our myriad of contract instructors who supply us with outstanding recreational offerings. Plus, we rely heavily on—and are so very grateful for—more than 1,000 volunteers each year!

Our annual operating budget for the general fund is $20,000,000, approximately 70% of which comes from property taxes. Approximately six cents of every base property tax dollar is allocated to CRPD. So a big THANK YOU to Conejo Valley property owners for your ongoing investment in your community.

Beneficial partnerships with other government agencies like the City, the County, and the School District, and with community institutions like California Lutheran University and a host of service clubs and non-profit organizations enable residents to enjoy significantly more facilities and recreational services than we could hope to offer on our own.

CRPD Staff and Board of Directors are dedicated to improving the quality of life in our community and are proud of what your Park District has to offer.

Our Vision

Our vision is to serve our community and be recognized as one of the top recreation and park districts in the nation. To achieve this, we must:

  • be financially stable
  • be the primary source of leisure activities and services
  • match our programs and facilities to demographic needs
  • distinguish CRPD as a leading partner with other agencies and organizations for recreation, park and open space needs
  • be an employer of choice
  • evaluate and leverage emerging opportunities, while maintaining our facilities and infrastructure
  • update the District’s Strategic Plan annually
  • inform and educate about recreation, parks and open space
  • engage in, and promote, environmentally responsible and sustainable facilities and business practices.
Our General Manager - Jim Friedl 
A man with a beard and a friendly smile, standing outdoors against a blurred green background, wearing a dark sweater.

Position: General Manager

Phone: 805-495-6471

Email Address: jfriedl@crpd.org

Jim grew up in Agoura Hills attending public schools and graduating from Agoura High School. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning from UC San Diego and a Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. While in law school, Jim also received a certificate in dispute resolution from the Strauss Institute.

Jim was hired as an attorney for the City of Thousand Oaks in 1994. After five years of legal practice, he moved into public administration as a Deputy City Manager for the City of Thousand Oaks.
In 2003, Jim was selected to be an Assistant General Manager for the Conejo Recreation and Park District. Upon the retirement of Tex Ward in 2006, Jim became the Park District's third General Manager in its 60-year history.

In addition to his work as GM, he participates in various other organizations, professional associations, and nonprofits.

  • California Association of Park and Recreation Indemnity (CAPRI), Board member (CAPRI is a statewide liability, property and workers compensation insurance pool of more than 60 recreation and park districts)
  • Play Conejo Board Member
  • Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), Finance Officer
  • Conejo Open Space Conservation Authority (COSCA), Joint Chief Administrative Officer
  • California Association of Recreation and Park Districts (CAPRD), Legislative Committee member (served 10 years as Chair)
  • Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy, Advisory Board member
  • Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks
  • California Special District's Association (CSDA), Certified Special District Administrator

Jim has written no books, though he has Tweeted quite a few times. When his four kids were young, he spent many years coaching youth sports. Now that the kids are young adults, Jim is currently pursuing his passion for hiking and soaking in the wonders of our natural world.

Recognitions:

  • Ralph Heim Exceptional Outreach & Advocacy Award - California Special Districts Association (2021)
  • Public Sector Leader of the Year – Ventura County Leadership Academy (2019)
  • Jim Meredith Award of Excellence – California Association of Recreation & Park Districts (2017)
  • Man of the Year – Greater Conejo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (2008)
  • 40 Under 40 – Pacific Coast Business Times (2003)
  • Ventura County Special Districts Association General Manager of the Year (2008)

Senior Staff