Conejo Park District Finalizes $30 Million Purchase of Thousand Oaks Headquarters

The Conejo Recreation and Park District has officially signed a contract to buy the property it currently calls home. The district will pay the city of Thousand Oaks $30.4 million for the administrative site and the surrounding hillside.

The purchase includes the buildings on West Hillcrest Drive and the 61-acre area known as Fireworks Hill. This move ensures the district will not have to relocate when its current lease expires in late 2027.

This land was originally a gift to the city from the Janss family. The city built its first city hall there in 1973. The park district has invested about $2 million in building improvements over the last several decades.

Negotiations for the sale began late last year. Both agencies hired independent appraisers to determine a fair market price. While the final cost was higher than early estimates, both boards approved the deal unanimously.

The city plans to use the $30 million to help fund a new downtown revitalization project. That project is expected to cost around $150 million and will include a new amphitheater and public playground.

To cover the cost, the park district is using $13.4 million from its property acquisition reserves. They also secured a $2 million grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The rest will be covered by a $15 million loan.

General Manager Jim Friedl stated that the deal is a long-term win for the community. It protects valuable open space in an area where thousands of new housing units are planned.

The sale is expected to close in July 2026. As part of the agreement, the land must remain designated for public use and open space for at least the next thirty years.