City Officials Back Parks Bond Measure

Westlake Village officials have thrown their support behind a county bond measure on the November ballot designed to raise $270 million for renovation of existing parks and construction of new ones.

The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the measure, which city officials said could provide as much as $1.3 million for a new city park for Westlake Village.

The park would be built on a 40-acre parcel off the northern end of Lindero Canyon Road near the Ventura County line. Ten acres would be devoted to athletic and play areas and the rest would be open space. It would have two soccer fields, two baseball fields, a picnic area, restrooms and parking for 60 vehicles.

Lindero Canyon Park, as it would be called, would cost $1.7 million, including purchase of the land, officials said.

Prudential Life Insurance Co., officials said, would contribute $400,000 toward the project, in exchange for receiving city approval several years ago to extend Lindero Canyon Road to the Ventura County line as part of a real estate investment.

Westlake Village would have to purchase the 40-acre tract from a private owner, who, according to City Manager Ray Taylor, would be willing to sell “if appropriate terms and conditions are met.”

The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit land conservation organization that organized the county ballot measure, will decide which municipalities are eligible for funds, Taylor said. Westlake Village will probably know by the end of June whether it is eligible, he said.