What Conejo Recreation and Park District does

Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) is a California special district government entity founded in 1962 to provide parks and recreation services across the Conejo Valley, specifically serving Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and the Ventura County portion of Westlake Village. The district operates more than 50 parks and recreation facilities on nearly 1,000 acres of developed parkland, including eight community centers, multiple community pools (Samuelson Aquatic Center with 20 lanes, plus school-district partner pools), skate parks, a bike park, equestrian centers, trails, and open space. CRPD runs thousands of recreation programs annually across aquatics, sports, early childhood and youth, teen services, adults and seniors, cultural arts (including the Hillcrest Center for the Arts and Young Artists Ensemble), and therapeutic recreation for individuals with developmental disabilities.

The underlying technology stack is operational rather than differentiated: the website runs on Streamline (CMS for Special Districts), program registration and facility reservations are handled through an online system developed by Nine Planets LLC, and the district integrates Google Analytics, hCaptcha, and the Aira accessibility service for ADA compliance. No proprietary AI, data platform, or differentiated technical IP is disclosed. Programs operate through 8-week sessions across five annual cycles (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Fall/Winter), with instructor-led classes using a 60/40 revenue split (60% instructor, 40% CRPD) plus a $3 per-registration processing fee retained by the district.

CRPD's revenue model is hybrid and structurally diversified: recurring property tax revenue funds the majority of park maintenance and operations; transaction-based fees are collected from program enrollment, facility rentals (picnic sites, indoor rooms, athletic fields, racquetball and pickleball courts, lap swim lanes at $4 per session), and special events; and the affiliated 501(c)(3) Play Conejo (created in 2012) raises charitable donations for park improvements and financial assistance scholarships. The district is governed by an elected five-member Board of Directors and led by General Manager Jim Friedl (since 2006), with no private ownership, no parent company, and no disclosed external funding rounds.

Name

Conejo Recreation and Park District

Legal name

Conejo Recreation & Park District

Website

https://crpd.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Conejo Recreation and Park District is a California special district that operates more than 50 parks and recreation facilities across Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Westlake Village, offering aquatics, sports, youth, senior, and arts programs funded by property taxes, program fees, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

Keywords

• Public recreation services
• Park maintenance operations
• Community aquatics programs
• Youth summer camps
• Facility rentals

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacramento

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Recreation Program Fees: Fees collected from participants for recreation programs including swim classes, sports leagues, summer camps, arts programs, therapeutic recreation, and other classes. Instructors set their own program fees with a $3 processing fee per registration retained by CRPD and revenue split typically 60% instructor/40% CRPD.
2. Facility Rentals: Revenue from renting indoor facilities (community centers, meeting rooms), outdoor picnic sites, athletic fields, gymnasiums, racquetball courts, and pool lanes. Pricing varies by facility type and duration.
3. Property Tax Revenue: As a special district, CRPD receives property tax revenue to fund park maintenance, operations, and capital improvements. The district was established to provide recreation services funded by local tax base.
4. Play Conejo Donations: The district's fundraising arm Play Conejo (501(c)(3)) raises charitable contributions for park improvements, playground equipment, and scholarship programs for residents with limited financial means.
5. Lap Swim Fees: $4 per person for lap swim sessions at Samuelson Aquatic Center and other pool facilities. Senior discounts available for online reservations.
6. Court Reservation Fees: Fees for racquetball and pickleball court reservations at Thousand Oaks Community Center. Full payment required upon booking with 48-hour cancellation policy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Conejo Recreation and Park District is a California public special district that operates and maintains more than 50 parks and recreation facilities (community centers, pools, skate parks, bike parks, equestrian centers, trails) and delivers recreation programs across the Conejo Valley for residents of all ages and abilities. Programs span aquatics, sports leagues, summer day camps, preschool/afterschool youth programs, teen services, senior services, therapeutic recreation, cultural arts, and community-wide special events, supported by online registration and facility reservation systems. The district is funded by property taxes, user/program fees, and charitable contributions through its 501(c)(3) arm, Play Conejo.

Product overview

Conejo Recreation and Park District operates as a comprehensive parks and recreation agency providing community services across Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Westlake Village. The district offers a unified portfolio of recreational programs and facilities organized around core service areas: Aquatics (swim classes, lap swim, pool facilities), Sports (courts, fields, leagues), Youth & Family Programs (summer camps, preschool, afterschool, teen center), Cultural Arts (Hillcrest Center for the Arts, music programs, Young Artists Ensemble), Therapeutic Recreation (programs for individuals with disabilities), and Facilities & Reservations (community centers, parks, special event venues). The district is supported by Play Conejo, its 501(c)(3) fundraising arm, which provides park improvement funding and financial assistance scholarships. Major facilities include the Samuelson Aquatic Center, Thousand Oaks Teen Center, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, and multiple community centers. Programs operate through 8-week sessions across five seasons (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Fall/Winter) with online registration systems for facility reservations and class enrollment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Thousand Oaks Teen Center: Recreation center serving teens with programs, events, leagues, and youth outreach services
• Hillcrest Center for the Arts
• Samuelson Aquatic Center

Products and services

• Aquatics Programs Swim instruction, recreational swim, lap swim with online lane reservations, pool parties, and American Red Cross certification programs offered to district residents and visitors at multiple community pool facilities. Includes Samuelson Aquatic Center (20 lanes, 25 yards or 50 meters) and Community Pool at CLU (8 lanes, 25 yards), with summer operations at partner school pools.
• Summer Day Camps Day camps for children offering sports, games, arts, and activities designed to encourage friendships and fun, run on a seasonal basis across district facilities.
• Early Childhood and Youth Programs Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten, afterschool programs, homeschool enrichment, and party packages for children ages 0-12 across district community centers.
• Teen Programs at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center Recreation programs, events, sports leagues, and youth outreach services for teenagers delivered at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center, including the High School Teen Leadership Club (TLC).
• Adults and Seniors Programs Recreation activities for adults and seniors including the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program, Senior Nutrition Program, Bingo, and adult fitness activities run at Goebel Adult Center and other district locations.
• Sports Programs and Leagues Various sports activities and leagues including basketball, volleyball, racquetball, handball, and wallyball, with advisory coordination through the Conejo Valley Sports Advisory Council (CVSAC).
• Cultural Arts Programs Elementary music programs and the Young Artists Ensemble performing arts programming delivered at Hillcrest Center for the Arts.
• Therapeutic Recreation Recreation programs for individuals with developmental disabilities including intellectual disabilities, autism, and cerebral palsy, encompassing adaptive sports, arts, and Special Olympics participation.
• Community Center Facility Rentals Rental of indoor rooms, gymnasiums, and programmatic spaces at Borchard, Conejo, Dos Vientos, Goebel Adult, Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Old Meadows, Teen Center, and Thousand Oaks Community Centers.
• Picnic Site and Athletic Field Rentals Rental options for district picnic sites, outdoor athletic fields, and park spaces for private events, tournaments, and gatherings.
• Racquetball and Pickleball Court Reservations Online reservation system for racquetball, handball, wallyball, and pickleball courts at Thousand Oaks Community Center, with courts available seven days in advance starting at 8:00am.
• Lap Swim Reservations Online lane reservations for lap swimming at Samuelson Aquatic Center and partner school pools, with walk-in availability during designated hours; senior discounts available for online reservations.
• Financial Assistance Scholarship Program Scholarship program funding a portion of class or camp costs for district residents experiencing financial difficulties, administered through the Play Conejo 501(c)(3).
• Instructor-Led Class Proposals Program that allows external instructors to propose and teach recreation classes through CRPD facilities; instructors set their own fees with revenue split typically 60% instructor and 40% CRPD, and CRPD retains a $3 processing fee per registration.
• Volunteer Programs Various volunteer opportunities at community centers, including class/preschool volunteers, homework club tutors, special events, therapeutic recreation, and outdoor unit positions.
• Special Events Community-wide special events including Concerts in the Park, 4th of July Celebration, and RecVan Pop-Ups held throughout the year across district facilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, and Ventura County portion of Westlake Village
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• City of Thousand OakscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2019City of Thousand Oaks provided $250,000 grant to CRPD for construction of the Healing Garden at Conejo Creek North Park. The city partners with CRPD on various projects including park development, community events, and facility sharing. CRPD also partners with the city for joint programming and services.
• Ventura County Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2019Ventura County Sheriff's Office collaborated with CRPD and City of Thousand Oaks on the Healing Garden project, honoring victims and survivors of the November 7, 2018 tragic shooting incident. The Sheriff's Office serves as a key partner in community wellness initiatives.
• California Lutheran UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCLU partners with CRPD to operate the Community Pool at CLU and Samuelson Aquatic Center. CLU students and faculty have access to Samuelson Aquatic Center. Ryan Van Ommeren, Associate Vice President of Operations and Planning at CLU, serves on the Play Conejo board.
• Conejo Valley Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCVUSD partners with CRPD for facility sharing including pools at Thousand Oaks High School and Newbury Park High School during summer months. The district also collaborates on elementary music programs and other youth services.
• Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOSCA works with CRPD to preserve open space and maintain trails in the Conejo Valley. CRPD staff have historically worked with COSCA on park development and open space conservation efforts.
• Play ConejocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlay Conejo is CRPD's official fundraising arm (501(c)(3)), created in 2012 for the district's 50th anniversary. It raises funds for park improvements (playground equipment, restrooms, walking paths) and provides financial assistance scholarships for residents with limited means.
• Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMRCA has provided $4.5 million for CRPD projects including Sapwi Trails and McCrea Ranch. CRPD board members have historically served on MRCA's Governing Board.
• Santa Monica Mountains ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe conservatory has partnered with CRPD on open space preservation and trail development, working with Joe Edmiston who co-founded the organization.
• Janss MarketplaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJanss Marketplace provides permanent home for the Reign of Terror haunted attraction, which has donated nearly $300,000 to CRPD over 20 years of partnership.
• Joel and Frances McCrea Ranch FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation has raised over $250,000 for capital improvements at McCrea Ranch and supports docent training and visitor programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District: Adjacent California special district serving Simi Valley with very similar parks, recreation programs, and community facilities. Directly comparable in governance structure, revenue model (property-tax funded), and service portfolio, making it the closest operational peer.
• Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District: Ventura County-area California special district operating parks and recreation facilities in Camarillo. Closely comparable peer with matching special district governance, similar service mix, and resident-funded model serving an adjacent affluent region.
• Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority: California special district focused on open space conservation and park operations across the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas. Existing CRPD funding partner ($4.5M contributed to CRPD projects) with highly aligned mission in parks and recreation.
• Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency: Joint powers authority managing open space and trails in the Conejo Valley. Closely aligned local peer with overlapping mission in conservation, trail management, and park development within CRPD's service area.

Broad incumbents

• East Bay Regional Park District: Large California special district operating 73+ parks across 125,000 acres in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Provides highly similar parks and recreation services but at significantly greater scale and broader geographic scope.
• County of Ventura Parks Department: County-level parks operator providing recreation services throughout Ventura County, overlapping with CRPD's service area. Larger geographic scope with broader but less specialized offerings in adjacent public-sector space.
• City of Thousand Oaks: Municipal government operating complementary recreation programs and joint facilities with CRPD. Existing strategic partner with overlapping programs serving the same residents and shared investment in parks and community spaces.

Regional players

• Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy: California state agency focused on open space preservation and park development in the Santa Monica Mountains region. Existing CRPD partner with comparable mission in regional open space and trail stewardship.

Others

• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on creating parks and protecting land for public use. Operates in adjacent space of park creation and conservation funding with strong thematic overlap to CRPD's open space stewardship mission.
• National Recreation and Park Association: National nonprofit association representing parks and recreation professionals. Industry body providing certification, advocacy, and resources directly relevant to CRPD's operations and the broader parks/recreation sector.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/conejorpd
• Facebookfacebook.com/CRPDTherapeuticRecreation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conejo-recreation-and-park-district

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Conejo Recreation and Park District