Park district’s Ed Abele retiring

After nearly a decade of steady leadership, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Director Ed Abele is calling it a career. Abele announced July 28 that he won’t seek another term, wrapping up a tenure that began with his appointment in 2017 from a pool of 15 applicants and was cemented by voters in 2018. He served as board chair in 2019 and again in 2023, helping guide the district through major park improvements and community programming that make Simi Valley such a great place to live.

Abele’s retirement marks the end of an era for local parks. Whether it was advocating for new playgrounds, preserving open space, or just making sure the neighborhood fields were ready for weekend games, his work touched nearly every family in town. As the district prepares for a transition, residents can thank Abele for his dedication — and start paying attention to who steps up next. The Simi Valley Acorn first reported the news, and it’s a reminder that local service matters long after the headlines fade.