Meiners Oaks Park
Frequently Asked Questions
I’VE HEARD THE OLD CARWASH PROPERTY AT 312 E. EL ROBLAR DR IN MEINERS OAKS IS GOING TO BE A PARK. IS THIS TRUE?
The Meiners Oaks Park (MOP) Working Group established by a group of local residents in fall 2021 reached out to District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere with an early vision of a passive park, accessible to all members of the community with simple, meaningful amenities that reflect the culture of Meiners Oaks. Supervisor LaVere enthusiastically supported the concept. The necessary steps were taken and the carwash and derelict house were removed by the County of Ventura in April 2022 in preparation for creating the opportunity for a community park.
WHO OWNS THE PROPERTY?
The 2-acre property is owned by the County of Ventura.
IS IT A SUPERFUND SITE?
No. The property is not and never has been a superfund, brownfield, or a polluting site. For more information see:https://www.homefacts.com/environmentalhazards/superfunds/California/Ventura-County/Meiners-Oaks.html
IS THE SOIL CONTAMINATED?
No, the soil is not contaminated. Furthermore, any development of the site will be subject to environmental review (CEQA) and will more than likely require a Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment. A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase 1 ESA) is an investigation of a property's current and historical use as viewed through a variety of environmental lenses. This process determines if there is a potential for any hazardous conditions or other environmental concerns that might be present on the property, and if any mitigations are required for the project to move forward.
IS THIS AN OJAI VALLEY LAND CONSERVANCY PROJECT?
At this point, no. The project began with a working group of Meiners Oaks residents with the support of District 1 Supervisor Matt LaVere. Although supportive of creating a park at the site, the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy is not currently directly involved in the project.
WHO WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PARK?
Care for the park will be a public/private partnership between the County of Ventura and a local non-profit or other private organization. Details of the partnership will be finalized as the project progresses. The property is not located within Ojai City limits.
WHAT WILL YOU DO ABOUT HOMELESS PEOPLE CAMPING IN THE PARK?
It is well understood that parks are a prime location for individuals experiencing homelessness. The County has consistently worked with local partners and resources to monitor and address homeless camps in County parks.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BUILD A PARK?
The park will be created in four stages. The first stage – establishing the Meiners Oaks Park (MOP) Working Group – is complete. The second stage – Community Engagement – is ongoing. The MOP Working Group will engage in listening sessions that capture the voices of local residents, indigenous peoples, and community groups to create a Vision and Design Plan that reflects the look, feel, and culture of Meiners Oaks. This stage will also include the engagement of design professionals and fiscal partnerships to help bring us to the third stage. The third stage – the Design Stage – will create a final design for the park based on input from the community received during Phase 2. Phase 4 is the Implementation Stage during which the park will be constructed.
The cost of the MOP is estimated to be about $2 million. The expected completion date for the MOP will take about two years to complete once we secure funding and partners.
HOW WILL THE PARK BE FUNDED?
Funding for this project will come from a combination of partners and other sources including federal and state funds set aside for the creation of new parks, grant funds, and the generous donations of individuals, non-profit organizations, and private foundations.
WHAT ABOUT PARKING?
Part of the Community Engagement process will be to identify issues of special significance to Meiners Oaks residents, especially issues such as access and traffic. Special effort will be made to ensure that the MOP is pedestrian- and bike-friendly park to reduce our carbon-footprint and to avoid additional traffic on El Roblar Drive. The exact location of parking spaces will be determined during the Design Phase.
WILL THERE BE A PUBLIC RESTROOM?
We are currently seeking input from the community regarding features and amenities which are the most desirable for residents. A Portland Loo is a good option for a public restroom. It is a modern design focused on function and durability. The Portland Loo is a freestanding, public restroom designed to deter criminal activity and meld into its surrounding environment.
I’D LIKE TO HELP. HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Thank you for asking! If you’d like to get involved, send an email to imagineMOpark@gmail.com and a member of the MOP Working Group will get back to you. Or check out the MOP website at www.imagineMOpark.org and Facebook page.