CRPD weighs future uses for newly purchased property

A $30.4 Million Bet on Hillcrest — Now What?

Thousand Oaks residents who have watched the drama surrounding the Hillcrest hilltop campus for years now have a new question to answer alongside their park district: what should go inside the building that once housed the National Park Service?

The Conejo Recreation and Park District is now formally the owner of one of the most storied civic sites in the Conejo Valley. As the Thousand Oaks Acorn reported, the district's board met July 16 to tour and discuss potential uses for the 21,000-square-foot former National Park Service headquarters at 401 W. Hillcrest Drive — and the conversation made clear that while the purchase is done, the hard decisions are just beginning.

The $30.4 million deal, approved unanimously by both the Thousand Oaks City Council and the CRPD board in January 2026, handed the district roughly 61 acres, including the Hillcrest Center for the Arts at 403 W. Hillcrest and the adjacent former NPS building. A 180-day escrow period ended in July 2026, formally transferring the property to CRPD — meaning the district now owns about 55,000 square feet of buildings and the open space known as Fireworks Hill, the site of the community's annual Fourth of July fireworks display.

To fund the purchase, the district structured a 20-year lease-leaseback financing arrangement through the Webster Public Finance Corporation and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, with annual payments of approximately $1.14 million at a fixed interest rate of 4.46%. That ongoing payment obligation looms large over every renovation decision the board now faces.

Three Zones, Three Visions

Director of Recreation and Community Services Rochelle Callis presented staff's conceptual plans for the 401 W. Hillcrest building, dividing it into three proposed use zones.

The first zone, on the north end of the building, would create a 7,000-square-foot multipurpose room designed for midsize rentals, classes, and wellness programming, with renovation estimates ranging from $280,000 to $1.2 million, according to Parks and Planning Director Andrew Mooney.

The second zone, on the south end, would relocate CRPD's therapeutic recreation program — currently housed at Old Meadows Park recreation center — into a dedicated 6,000-square-foot space with accessible classrooms, restrooms, offices, and a small kitchen. Estimated cost: $220,000 to $900,000.

The third and most debated proposal would transform the middle of the building into an event center capable of seating 200 to 250 people, featuring mountain views, an outdoor patio, and a catering kitchen suited for weddings and large gatherings. That 9,000-square-foot centerpiece carries the largest price tag — between $360,000 and $1.6 million.

All told, fully renovating the building under the high-end estimates could run as much as $3.78 million, while a more modest approach could be accomplished for as little as $840,000.

The Money Question

Management Services Director Milessa Smith said CRPD has approximately $4.4 million available in its Capital Fund — but that figure already accounts for $1.6 million set aside for HVAC improvements and site work across both buildings. Doing all three renovations at their upper-cost estimates would nearly drain that fund entirely, leaving just over half a million dollars for other capital needs elsewhere in the district.

That fiscal reality sharpened the board's debate. Director Ashley Orozco voiced enthusiasm for the revenue potential, pointing out that with a new mortgage to service, creative income streams matter. Director Nellie Cusworth backed the event center concept as a way to provide a more affordable venue option for community members who find existing private event spaces out of reach.

But Directors Chuck Huffer and Doug Nickles pushed back. Huffer questioned whether a commercial-style event venue is the highest and best use of public recreation property, and whether it would place CRPD in competition with other facilities already operating in the city. Nickles acknowledged some openness to the therapeutic recreation space but characterized the other two proposals as "niceties" rather than essential community needs.

The board took no formal action — the item was agendized for discussion only. General Manager Jim Friedl directed staff to return with more refined cost estimates and a concrete staff recommendation.

Deep Roots, New Chapter

The building's history adds texture to the debate. The Hillcrest Center complex was originally built as Thousand Oaks' first City Hall, designed by architect Robert Mason Houvener and opened in February 1973. The buildings were designated a city historical landmark by the Thousand Oaks Cultural Heritage Board in April 1997. The National Park Service occupied the south building for approximately 25 years as its regional headquarters, before its lease ended around 2023, leaving the building vacant and setting the stage for CRPD's acquisition.

CRPD itself was established in January 1963 by a vote of Conejo Valley residents and today administers over 50 community parks across the valley. Taking ownership of the Hillcrest hilltop campus marks one of the most significant expansions of the district's physical footprint in its six-decade history.

Friedl's toast at the July 16 event — "The community owns it," he told board members and attendees gathered inside the proposed multipurpose room — captured the moment's significance. So did his immediate follow-up: the community will need to help decide what happens next.

How to Weigh In

Residents who want to shape how this public property is used have a clear opportunity ahead. The next CRPD board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, in the Hillcrest Center community room at 403 W. Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks. Public comment is a standing part of every board meeting agenda.

Friedl said he hopes community members will engage and share their priorities — whether that means advocating for expanded therapeutic programming, a flexible multipurpose hub, or a community event venue that could help the district pay its mortgage. The answer will likely be some combination of all three. The question is how much of each, and at what cost.