THE WAY WE WERE—The buildings, background in this year-old photo, are gone, a new stage has been erected and the statue commemorating city founder Adolfo Camarillo has been moved to a more prominent perch at the new Dizdar Park. SCOTT STEEPLETON/Acorn Newspapers
The historic heart of Old Town Camarillo is set to regain a central piece of its social fabric later this month.
After a 20-month, $9 million transformation, the City of Camarillo will officially reopen Dizdar Park with a grand opening celebration on March 21.
The event, scheduled for noon to 2 p.m., marks the public’s first opportunity experience the extensively modernized 1.7-acre landmark at the intersection of Ventura Boulevard and South Glenn Street.
City officials have described the project as a “legacy investment” intended to bridge the park’s deep historical roots with the contemporary needs of the community. The renovation involved not just a reimagining of the existing park space but also the demolition of a vacant office building and a former fire station, allowing for a significant expansion of the grounds.
“Since our first public workshops for the project in 2019, we prioritized an inclusive planning process to ensure community input helped shape the vision for this important space,” Mayor David Tennessen said in an announcement regarding the opening. “This vibrant new version of Dizdar Park is a lasting legacy investment—one that brightens our future while honoring the past.”
THE PAST IS THE PAST—The newly imagined Dizdar Park will have little resemblance to the place as it existed more than a year ago when signs announcing its complete makeover went up. SCOTT STEEPLETON/Acorn Newspapers
The park has served as a fixture in Camarillo for more than a century. Its history dates back to 1874, when the site was established as the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. By 1945, as the site fell into neglect and the area lacked a dedicated space for children to play, local resident Mike Dizdar intervened, funding the relocation of the graves and the creation of the park that would eventually bear his name.
The modern redesign incorporates this history while introducing amenities aimed at making the park a hub for local events and daily gatherings. Key features of the new space include:
•A fire station-themed playground: A nod to the site’s history that provides a dedicated area for children.
•A new bandshell and stage: Designed to host live performances, accompanied by open lawn seating.
•Enhanced accessibility: Featuring new pathways, picnic areas with barbecue facilities, and improved on-site parking. •
Interpretive art: An art display that showcases scenes from the park’s history, alongside two new entry plazas.
During the grand opening event, the park will host a variety of activities for the public. The ceremony will feature remarks from Mayor Tennessen, who is expected to speak on the park’s evolution and its continued role in the city’s future.
The celebration will also include live musical performances by the Camarillo Community Band and the Voices of Channel Islands Youth Chorus. Local artists from Studio Channel Islands are scheduled to lead hands-on art activities for children throughout the event.
The project, which broke ground in June 2024, faced a rigorous planning and environmental review process before began. According to city documents, the final budget covered the construction contract with Ardalan Construction Company, along with engineering, inspection and architectural design services.
As the city prepares to unveil the revitalized space, officials hope the park will serve as a cornerstone for both residents and visitors in Old Town.
For more on the grand opening event, go to cityofcamarillo.org/dizdaropening.
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