Simi Valley Public Library

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The Simi Valley Public Library is located at 2969 Tapo Canyon Road. Previously part of the Ventura County Library System, the library became a municipal public library on July 1, 2013.

The library is open 7 days a week, 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday, 1pm to 5pm on Friday and Sunday and 10am to 5pm on Saturday.

In addition to books and publications, the library has a meeting room, hosts special free events and programs for the community and allows for eBook downloads on its website.

To learn more, visit www.simivalleylibrary.org or call 805.526.1735.

Splash Park at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

Splash Park is a pop up splash fountain built for the enjoyment of the community and patrons of The Collection at RiverPark. It is located just outside of the Lazy Dog Restaurant. Open 9am to noon and 1-5pm daily. Closed noon to 1pm for maintenance.

Visit thecollectionrp.com/connect/news/detail/162/splash-park-hours-and-information for rules and policies regarding use of the fountain.

Duck Pond at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks

This is the largest duck pond that I'm aware of certainly in the Conejo Valley if not all of Ventura County. Conejo Creek Park North is a great park in Thousand Oaks with a creek running through it down to a pond full of duckies quacking around. There's also a pond at the top of the creek as the water recirculates. There must be a couple hundred ducks on hand at this park and they're pretty friendly.

You're really not supposed to be feeding the ducks but it is hard to resist. The problem though is that feeding bread to ducks is really bad for them because of all the refined sugar. They need cracked corn, oats and other grains. So while I do mention "feeding the ducks" in the video, if you're really interested in feeding them, stop by a feed store for some duck food if you want to do the right thing.  In any case, these ducks are cute and entertaining so go pay them as visit!

Oxnard Public Library Locations

In 1907, the Oxnard Public Library opened its doors on what is now the corner of C and Fourth Streets in a building funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.  In 1909, the library opened deposit stations, which later became branches, in the areas of Port Hueneme, Moorpark, Saticoy, Camarillo, Somis, and Santa Susana. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors dissolved this arrangement in 1915 with the establishment of the Ventura County Library System which provided service to the aforementioned cities. The City of Oxnard leaders at that time decided to maintain the Oxnard Public Library as a city library, separate from the County Library System.  

The City of Oxnard maintains the following locations:

Main Library: 251 South 'A' Street (805.385.7500)
Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-5:30pm
 
South Oxnard Branch: 4300 Saviers Road (805.385.8129)
Monday-Thursday: 9am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-5:30pm
 
Colonia Branch: 1500 Camino del Sol #26 (805.385.8108)
Monday-Thursday: 12pm-6pm

Visit www.oxnardlibrary.net for more information.

Oxnard Police Activities League (PAL)

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Oxnard Police Activities League (PAL) is a citywide, after-school crime prevention program that provides outreach to local youth, ages 4 to 18, to build positive relationships between youth, police officers and the community. PAL's mission is to divert youth away from gangs and other criminal activity by providing a wide variety of positive alternatives under the care and supervision of trained police officers, recreation staff and community volunteers. Membership at PAL is FREE and of all of PAL's programs are offered at low or no cost to participants.

A wide variety of programs are offered year-round, including athletics, enrichment (e.g. music, education), leadership, mentoring, community events and more. Visit www.oxnardpal.org for more information.

Brandon's Buddies Free Kids Club in Calabasas

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Brandon's Buddies is a free kids club that meets every month at Brandon's Village at Gates Canyon Park located at 25801 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Calabasas. This playground is the first fully-accessible playground in the region. The day may include integrated play, face painting, arts and crafts, entertainment and treats.  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/calendar

Note from Conejo Joe: The group meets USUALLY (some exceptions noted) the first Saturday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. But make sure to check in advance.  Or just show up.

Upcoming dates: TBA

2nd Saturday at the Adobe in Agoura Hills

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2nd Saturday at The Adobe is a monthly family program for families with kids age 3 to 8. Hours are 1:30-3:30PM.

Stop by the Reyes Adobe Historical Site to participate in hands on activities and make art projects geared towards a monthly theme. Before your visit, have a lunch in the park, enjoy the playground, or bring games to play on the grass. Activities are geared towards kids ages 3-8 and are free with donations cheerfully accepted. Docent led tours of the historic museum are also available for all ages.

Call the Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center for specific activities at 818-597-7361 or check out the city’s quarterly recreation program guide at www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us.

Location: Reyes Adobe Historical Site, 30400 Rainbow Crest Drive, Agoura Hills

Upcoming events: TBA

Kids Club at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks

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The Kids Club at The Lakes meets every Wednesday of the month from 10-11am on the lawn during most spring/summer months. Geared towards kids 10 and under.

Call 805.497.9861 for more information. Events are outdoors; rain generally cancels events but call first.

Events vary from puppet shows to storytellers to musicians, petting zoos, arts and crafts, etc. for preschoolers and their parents. These are outdoor events and are weather permitting. Contact The Lakes for more information at 805.497.9861 or www.shoplakes.com.

In addition to the kids club, The Lakes has a small playground area that is geared toward the younger kids, an expanse of grass and 2 beautiful lakes, waterfall, fountain, etc. This is a nice park-like setting that makes you forget the fact that you are looking straight out at Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Upcoming Events:

8/25/21: The Whacko Show

*RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/the-lakes-at-thousand-oaks-kids-club-tickets-150284465883

Gates Canyon Park / Brandon's Village - Calabasas

The 7 acre Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas includes picnic areas with barbeques, fitness course, children's play area, basketball court, tennis courts and plenty of open grass area.  The park is north of the 101 freeway and east of Las Virgenes.

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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 that 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/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities for more information.

There is a huge play area for 5 to 12 year olds with many unique features not seen in other parks, such as a unique roller-driven slide and a large "swaying" ship. There is also a separate play area for younger children. 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!