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 to coordinate land use planning and policy decisions, and to facilitate open space acquisition, management, and conservation according to the goals identified in the City’s General Plan. COSCA owns and/or manages about 12,700 acres of the 15,250 acres of open space within the City’s planning area. COSCA’s mission is to acquire, conserve, and manage open space within and surrounding the Conejo Valley for future generations, sustainably balancing public use with ecosystem protection.

COSCA is governed by a 5-person Board of Directors consisting of two elected City Council members, two elected CRPD Directors, and one appointed member of the public. The City and CRPD contribute equally to COSCA’s budget as well as provide staff to conduct the agency’s work.

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 a supporting role to the COSCA Board, under the direction of COSCA staff. COSTAC provides support for the volunteer programs approved by the COSCA Board of Directors, such as Trail Work Day, Special Trail Work Days, Trail Ambassadors, Trail Watch, Trails Education Days, Adopt-A-Trail, Trailhead Outreach, and Resource Stewardship.

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.