An off-leash dog park in Oak Park was among the projects included in a proposed 2008-09 budget outlined at a public hearing Thursday by Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District officials.

Park board members heard General Manager Larry Peterson present the proposed $19.7 million operating plan. The public hearing was the first of two, with the second scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Sycamore Drive Community Center in Simi Valley.

Peterson conceded that while "anything can happen" with the state budget shortfall, the district is being fiscally conservative and anticipating the state will again divert property tax revenue away from recreation agencies.

Since 1992, the district has lost more than $18 million to state raids on special district funds, he said. "That's 25 percent in 16 years of our operating budget diverted to lost revenue."

But projects in the proposed budget "we can assume will go forward," he said. Any state shift of funds "might cause a delay but it won't derail Oak Park projects," he said.

The budget embraces recommendations the Oak Park Recreation and Park Planning Committee made in April: to design and construct a dog park at the archery range in Oak Canyon Community Park; find an alternative site for the archery range if use warrants it; perform a nine-month evaluation on the interim dog park; and separate the dog park into small- and large-dog sections.

Jerry Kaman, Oak Park recreation committee chairman, called Oak Canyon Community Park "absolutely gorgeous, the centerpiece" of the community. But portions are underutilized, and "the Oak Park dog park has generated the most interest during my time on the committee," he said.

Kevin Sheldon, who lives in Simi Valley and works in Westlake Village, said he visits the park several times a week at lunch. He asked the board to not base a decision about relocating the archery range solely on use, because it is not maintained and thus not used by some local archers.

Another speaker, Ron Goldberg, supported the off-leash dog park. "I live here. I walk my dog here. I want my dog park here."

Various speakers said they supported other Oak Park projects. Kaman endorsed a proposed $380,000 splash pad at Oak Canyon.

"Environmentally they're a wonder, we don't have any other activity like this in the community, and construction of this is clearly less than a swimming pool and a quite responsible" choice, he said. Kaman said committee members had asked the board to give it "equal priority" with the dog park.

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