Trailhead at Rancho Potrero open for business

Parking lot allows easier access to 326 acres of open space

Source of this article: The Thousand Oaks Acorn, May 7, 20015

Nearly seven and a half years after the intensely debated specific plan for the Rancho Potrero Open Space was finally approved, the area’s trailhead improvements will officially be open to hikers, bikers and horseback riders on Saturday.

The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency will host an opening ceremony at 9:30 a.m. May 9.

Nature enthusiasts have been enjoying the land since it was purchased in 1993 through a coordinated effort between the City of Thousand Oaks, Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The official opening will celebrate recent improvements there, said Shelly Mason, COSCA manager.

“There’s parking now, a restroom, kiosk, water for horses and a tie-up,” she said. “It makes using the open space a lot more convenient than before.”

In the past, those who drove to the 326-acre property to enjoy it had to park precariously on the side of the road, CRPD supervisor Tom Hare said.

“Ever since we acquired the property, people were just hopping the curb and parking with two tires on the curb and two on the road,” he said.

The parking lot at the trailhead gives those with horse trailers a place to park and provides an area for parents to drop children off for summer camp programs on days the kids are set to go hiking as well, Hare said.

BRING YOUR HIKING BOOTS—Longheld plans to improve public access to the picturesque Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park are now complete. A ribbon-cutting is planned for this Saturday.

The Rancho Potrero property has about three miles of trails with another one mile planned. Its trails tie into the trail systems of Rancho Sierra Vista-Satwiwa Park, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and Point Mugu State Park.

“These three miles connect to thousands of miles of trail,” Mason said. “People can go for miles and miles and hours and hours to escape.”

Saturday’s celebration will allow time for a short, unguided hike or ride before a 10:30 a.m. ribbon-cutting.

There will be drinks and snacks for guests.

The new trailhead is on the south side of Lynn Road, directly west of the Circle K Stables equestrian center, 4790 W. Lynn Road, Newbury Park.

Any questions about Rancho Potrero can be directed to Mason by calling (805) 449-2339 or emailing smason@toaks.org.