The Conejo Recreation & Park District (CRPD) acquired the first public open space in the Conejo Valley in 1966, in a portion of what is now called Wildwood Regional Park. This led to a goal of conserving a ring of open space in the hills and mountains that surround the Conejo Valley. Since that time, approximately 15,000 acres of open space have been preserved, accounting for approximately 39% of the city of Thousand Oaks planning area. The City’s General Plan envisions nearly 16,000 acres, or 41% of the City’s planning area, to be open space at build out. Over 170 miles of multi-use trails have been built in open space. The area has been designated a “Trail City USA” by the American Hiking Society because of this extensive trail system.

Hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners, geo-cachers and equestrians share the Conejo multi-use trails. Dogs are permitted on leash. No motorized vehicles are permitted on open space trails.

Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA)

In 1977 The City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) created the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) through a joint powers authority.

The primary responsibility of COSCA is to hold and manage most of the Conejo open space and to preserve its natural characteristics while providing opportunities for passive recreational enjoyment of the natural resources.

COSCA is governed by a 5-person Board of Directors consisting of two City Council members, two CRPD elected Directors, and one public member.

COSCA Website address: www.conejo-openspace.org.

Conjeo Open Space Trails Action Committee (COSTAC)

Formed in 1988, the eleven-member committee is composed of hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and equestrians who are appointed by the COSCA Board for three-year terms.

COSTAC acts in an advisory capacity to the COSCA Board, reviews issues and makes recommendations to the COSCA Board regarding open space and trails.

COSTAC also coordinates the COSCA Volunteer Corps, which is responsible for open space programs including Trail Watch, Trail Patrol, Trail Work, Adopt-A-Trail, Non-Native Plant Removal/Resource Stewardship, Trails Education Days, and Public Outreach.

Conejo Open Space Foundation (COSF)

Established in 1995 as a nonprofit corporation for public and charitable purposes. The primary responsibilities are to raise funds to promote and help maintain the COSCA multi-use trail and open space systems, and to educate the public about our open space and the environment. COSF supports the above COSCA programs financially, developed the original COSCA trail maps, and provides funding for the “Bike Bell” program.