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The parks system includes more than 800 acres of parkland and facilities serving various interests from sailing, surfing, tennis, league sports, skateboard parks, playgrounds and picnic areas.

Click here for A Map of 35+ Great Parks and Recreation Facilities to visit in the City of Ventura.

Click here for a Parks Reservation Application and the Parks Use Policy.

Scenic Parks

 

Arroyo Verde Park

Arroyo Verde Park will be open from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013.  Parking is $5.00 per vehicle.  The usual re-admission privilege with a paid ticket will be suspended for Easter Sunday.  You WILL NOT be allowed to re-enter the park with your vehicle should you leave.

(Foothill and Day Roads) is a beautiful and important natural preserve and recreational resource. The park consists of 132 acres of relatively rugged land – featuring 14 acres of tree lined open grass areas, individual picnic/barbecue sites, three group barbecue areas, a nature center, several miles of hiking trails, restrooms and two children’s play areas. A fee for parking is charged at Arroyo Verde Park Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The fee is $2 per hour, or $5 maximum per day.

• View a printable Arroyo Verde Park Trail Map & Wildlife & Plant Safety Tips Brochure or illustrated version
• View Bobcat & Mountain Lion Information
• View Arroyo Verde Park Brochure

Grant Park

(Ferro Drive) offers a spectacular view of the City, the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands. In 1782, Franciscan Father Junipero Serra raised a wooden cross on the mountain overlooking his newly established Mission San Buenaventura. Once used as a landmark by mariners at sea, the cross now rests within the 107-acre park. While much of the mountainous terrain is undeveloped, the park features picnic facilities and restrooms.

NOTICE: Grant Park / Serra Cross Park closed during 4th of July
All gates to Grant Park and Serra Cross Park will remain locked during the 4th of July holiday beginning July 3 at 9 pm to July 5 at 7 am.

Dog Parks

Ventura has two areas where dogs are permitted to run free – at Camino Real Park and Arroyo Verde Park.

Camino Real, located at Dean Drive and Varsity Street, has a fenced in area in the southwest corner of the park, thanks to generous donations from members of the local Dog Owners Group (D.O.G.). Hours of the dog park are dawn to dusk. Double gates allow both small and large dogs to enter and exit the area safely. 

  

Arroyo Verde Park at Foothill and Day Road, has a designated off-leash area for use at specific times. Hours are Tuesday – Sunday from 6 – 9 AM excluding holidays and days reserved for special events.

Dog owners are expected to be responsible for their canine companions including keeping them under voice control and cleaning up after them. Volunteers from Citizens for Off-leash Laws and Recreation (C.O.L.L.A.R), monitor both areas. Only non-aggressive, well-socialized dogs are permitted in the off-leash areas. All dogs must be vaccinated for rabies and have a current license. C.O.L.L.A.R. Brochure (Citizens for Off Leash Laws and Recreation).

 

 

 

 

 

Please, DOO THE RIGHT THING!

Pet owners, please help reduce the demand of harmful plastics in our environment, dog waste accumulation in our parks and open spaces, and the cost burden typically associated with providing such services. Remember to ALWAYS pick up after your dog.   

 

 

 

 

Cultural Parks

Barranca Vista Park

This very active site located at 7050 East Ralston Street contains the Barranca Vista “Imagination” Center for cultural and fitness programs as well as basketball court, picnic areas and a children’s playground. The park offers year round programming including summer camps and free spring and summer events such as Festival in the Park (with a Kids Swap Meet), Fairy Tales in the Park, Family Summer Concerts. For more information visit this link or call 805.644.6542.

Ventura River Trail

Opened in 1999, the Ventura River Trail is a pedestrian and bicycle path that follows the old Southern Pacific "right of way" from Main Street to Foster Park, 6.3 miles inland. The path links the Ojai Valley and Coastal Omer Rains Trail to create a longer 17-mile bike path recognized as one of the finest in Southern California.

Click here for a Ventura River Trail Brochure

Environmentally, the trail is unique in that it traverses several ecological zones and skirts the edge of habitats important to many resident and migratory birds. Through funding by the City of Ventura Public Art Program, the natural landscape has been further enhanced through the commissioning and installation of artwork that seeks to interpret Ventura's economic, cultural and environmental history.

Sports-Oriented Parks

Ventura Community Park

(901 S. Kimball Road) The park features three large sports fields, a 1.4-mile paved trail and a state of the art aquatics facility with two 25-foot water slides, a recreation pool, competition pool and a water playground for children. For more information click here.

 

 

Camino Real Park  

(Dean Drive and Varsity Street) is a 38-acre complex including eight tennis courts (lighted), two softball fields (lighted), a regulation softball/baseball diamond (lighted), two youth baseball fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, snack bar/concession buildings and three children’s play areas. Soccer/football field space, group and individual picnic/barbecue facilities and restrooms are also available.

Fritz Huntsinger Youth Sports Complex

(Telephone Road and Saticoy Ave.) provides two youth softball/baseball fields, a regulation baseball field, two soccer fields, restrooms and picnic/barbecue facilities.

Harry A. Lyon Park

(De Anza Drive at Cameron Street) offers tennis and basketball courts, regulation softball/baseball field (lighted), two youth baseball fields, a 10-acre open grass area, restrooms and barbecue areas.

Westpark Community Center

(450 W. Harrison Ave., 648-1895) offers a softball/soccer field (lighted), two handball courts, children’s play area, horseshoe pits, restrooms and a recreation center. The center features a gymnasium with showers, restrooms, game and crafts rooms, kitchen and community meeting rooms - all available for rental.

Come celebrate Westpark's new playground equipment and rubberized play area surfaces! 
Enjoy two new site installations including slides, swings and a climbing area; one site designed for children ages 2 – 5 years and another specifically for children ages 5 – 12 years. 

Community Gardens

Cornucopia Community Garden Ventura
Telephone Rd between Johnson Dr and Ramelli Ave

Click here for composting information

Garden Plots Available Cornucopia is Ventura County’s largest community garden, founded in 1984 and operated by the City of Ventura Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships. For decades this garden has been a beautiful place where the community can cultivate the land and celebrate their harvest. It has more than 145 organic plots, some of which are available for rental: an 18’ x 20-25’ plot costs $85 for six months, including water, mulch and the use of gardening tools, plus a $50 refundable deposit. Call 805/658-4754 to join or schedule a tour.

Join Friends of Cornucopia Garden volunteers. Garden loving volunteers are invited to wear work clothes, hat, sunscreen and gardening gloves bring their gardening tools to join “Friends of the Cornucopia Garden” who meet monthly at the site on second Saturdays, 9-11 am, to help spruce up and beautify our county’s largest community garden. General maintenance of Cornucopia’s common areas has great potential as a team building experience both on the family level—to teach children about sustaining their environment and growing local food sources—as well as for service clubs. To register please contact Volunteer Ventura! at 805/652-4555 or rornelas@cvcityofventura.net and sign up online at www.cityofventura.net/volunteer.

Skateboard Parks

Skateboard facilities can be found at Westpark Community Center, Hobert Park and the campus of Pacific High School (Dean Drive and College). These facilities were designed for both the novice and advanced skater. Protective gear is required.

City Golf Courses

Buenaventura Golf Course

located at 5882 Olivas Park Drive, offers recreational players and seniors a chance to experience traditional golf with tree-lined fairways and tour caliber greens. Ranked as Best Public Golf Course Renovation in 2005 by Golf Digest Magazine Buenaventura has become a favorite by residents and visitors alike. For more information visit www.buenaventuragolf.com

Olivas Links Golf Course

located at 3750 Olivas Park Drive, offers unique challenges for players of all skill levels. Dramatically redesigned in 2007 from a traditional course to a link-style course, Olivas has become the destination of choice for those players looking for a challenging golf experience. Planted with Sea Isle paspalum turf that offers a durable smooth playing surface, Olivas has achieved a status most courses only dream about. Top #10 Municipal Golf Course in the Nation for 2009 Golf Week Magazine. For more information visit www.olivaslinks.com

Beachfront Parks

Surfers’ Point at Seaside Park

(Figueroa Street at the Promenade) enjoys a reputation as one of the area’s most popular surfing and windsurfing beaches. The park features showers, picnic facilities, restrooms and is connected with the Ventura Pier by a scenic landscaped Promenade walkway and the Omer Rains Bike Trail.

Marina Park

(South end of Pierpont Boulevard) is 15 acres of beachfront fun located next to the Ventura Harbor. Colorful sailboats can be seen from pathways and lookout points as they leave the harbor while windsurfers slice across the ocean and children climb aboard the play ship San Salvador. Sailing lessons are offered nearby (with advance reservations) and anglers may drop a line from the park’s fishing dock. Individual picnic/barbecue facilities, sand volleyball court, a hand-launch boat dock, children’s play area and restrooms can also be found at the park.

Come enjoy Marina Park's new playground equipment and rubberized play area surfacing (to replace the sand.) 
Marina Park’s nautical-themed play structures feature age-appropriate equipment to accommodate children 2- 5 and 5-12 years.

Harbor Cove Beach

(West end of Spinnaker Drive) just across the harbor from Marina Park, is considered to be the City’s safest swimming beach, protected from strong currents by a jetty and the marina. Restrooms and a children’s play area are also available at this popular site.

Next to Harbor Cove Beach is the Channel Islands National Park Headquarters (658-5700) where visitors can get information about exciting day trips and overnight outings to the islands - located within eyesight of the coast - for camping, hiking, snorkeling or scuba diving.

For more information please take a look at the following sites:

County of Ventura
Ventura County Parks

California
State Parks
- Ventura Area State Parks
California State Parks Foundation

United States
National Parks Service
- Channel Islands National Park
Recreation.gov

Contact the City of Ventura Parks Divison by phone at 805-652-4550 or visit their offices at 336 Sanjon Road.

Parks Division Master Plans

Shaping Westpark For The Future

Westpark is the city's oldest athletic and recreational complex - built in 1950. It is also one of the most heavily used city park facilities and was last renovated in the 1980s. Recognizing the need to update the facility, the City Council hired the firm of Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects to develop a conceptual management plan for the site. The Plan is now complete.

The process involved a significant amount of citizen input that lead to creative and innovative approaches for improving the park. The finished Plan includes four schemes for renovating, rehabilitating or constructing new facilities. Costs range from two to twenty million dollars. The project is included in the City's Capital Improvement Plan for phased future implementation as funds become available.

View the Westpark Capital Management Phasing Plan  (PDF, 943KB)

Cemetery Memorial Park

Located between Main Street and Poli Street, adjacent to Aliso Lane, Ventura’s seven-acre Cemetery Memorial Park is situated on a hill with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. The site was an active cemetery until 1944 when burials were prohibited within the city limits.

Grant Park Master Plan

Situated above historical downtown Ventura, our 107-acre Grant Park is primarily open space. The City Council approved a project to develop a master plan for the park; however, the project has been deferred until funding becomes available.