Studio 17 Art Classes in Newbury Park

Located at 135 Ruby Drive, Newbury Park, Studio 17 provides art instruction to children and adults with special needs. Local artist Mary Abraham opened the studio and is an educator, artist and parent of a child with autism; she brings a special understanding of how to teach the arts to students with special needs. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/studio17np or call 805.480.0440.

Brandon's Buddies Free Kids Club in Calabasas

Brandon's Buddies is a FREE KIDS CLUB that meets every month at Brandon's Village at Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas.  This playground is the first fully-accessible playground in the region. The day may include Integrated Play, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, Entertainment and Treats.  Please feel free to bring a sack lunch.

All children with and without disabilities and their families who want to spend a great day playing in the sunshine and making friends are invited to participate!

Brandon's Buddies gives children with disabilities the opportunity to play with their typically-able peers, while giving their parents a chance to share experiences and advice with other parents/caregivers.  It gives children without disabilities the chance to get to know their peers and gain greater awareness and compassion.

For more information, visit The K.E.N. Project website at www.kenproject.com or call 818.222.8118.  Or visit the KEN Project calendar at www.kenproject.com/calendarofevents.html. 

Note from Conejo Joe: The group meets USUALLY (some exceptions) the first Saturday of each month from 11 am to 1 pm. But make sure to check in advance.  Or just show up.  The park is awesome!

Upcoming dates (as of 1/6/13):  Feb 2, Mar 9, Apr 6, May 4, Jun 1, Jul 13, Aug 3, Sep 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7.

Gates Canyon Park / Brandon's Village - Calabasas

The 7 acre Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas was acquired in 1993 and includes picnic areas with barbeques, fitness course, children's play area, basketball court, tennis courts, and open grass area.  The park is north of the 101 freeway and east of Las Virgenes, about 12 miles from Thousand Oaks city central.

Designed by Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization that designs and builds universally accessible playgrounds, and opened in October 2006, Brandon’s Village features playground equipment is over 70% independently playable for children with disabilities and also provides meaningful and stimulating play opportunities for able-bodied children.

Gates Canyon Park / Brandon's Village is located at 25801 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Calabasas. Call 818.880.6461 or visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/vtour/parks-recreation/gates-canyon.html for more information.

We visited the park on Friday, January 1, 2010 and the kids had a blast.  There is a HUGE play area for 5 to 12 year olds with many unique features I haven't seen in other parks, such as a unique roller-driven slide and a large "swaying" ship that we spent about half an hour on. There is a separate play area for younger children.  My 4 year old was completely entranced with the play area and didn't want to leave.  The video below doesn't quite do the place justice but will give you some feel for how cool Brandon's Village is.  This is a "must visit" place in my opinion if you live in the area with kids!