Recreational drones now allowed in five Simi Valley area parks, trails
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board Wednesday night adopted an ordinance allowing recreational drones to be used in five of the district's more than 50 parks and trails.
On a 4-1 vote, drones will be permitted in Big Sky Park, Chumash Park, Chivo Canyon, the Las Llajas Trail Area and the Tapo Canyon Trail Area starting in 30 days. They will not be permitted in any of the district's other parks or trails, including those in unincorporated Oak Park.
Board member Josh Gray said Thursday that prior to the ordinance, the district's policy was ambiguous as to whether drones could be used on its properties.
"Now, we have clarity," said Gray, who spearheaded the ordinance.
Use of drones varies across the region and state. Next door, the Conejo Recreation and Park District does not allow drones, district officials said.
Drones are currently allowed in state parks, beaches, historic parks, recreational areas, and vehicular recreation areas except where prohibited by a district superintendent’s posted order, according to the California Department of Park and Recreation.
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The Rancho Simi district will allow drones from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of Big Sky Park, where they will be permitted only until 2 p.m. because of youth activities there in the afternoons, District Manager Dan Paranick said.
Gray said that he proposed the ordinance in part because drone users were getting hostile reactions when flying in residential neighborhoods.
"They felt they had no place in which to fly that they felt comfortable with," he said.
Gray added that the district wants to encourage residents' hobbies and a sense of community built around them.
"And in talking to them, a lot of drone flyers weren't able to develop a community because they had no centralized location," he said.
Several speakers told the board they strongly opposed the ordinance.
"I am against any drone use anywhere in Rancho Simi's purview," said Dan Cooper, a member of the Oak Park/Park and Recreation Planning Committee, which advises the board. "I would like to respectfully remind the board that they have an obligation to protect open space and recreational opportunities.
"And I don't consider drones a recreational activity," he said. "I consider them a nuisance."
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Like others, Cooper expressed concerns about possible fire hazards drones could pose.
Drones have the potential to start wildfires in a number of ways, including from overheated motors or batteries igniting dry grasses upon landing, according to droneblog.com.
Another member of the committee, Harry Medved, also opposed the ordinance, saying, "I don't believe the masses want this."
On a 3-2 vote, the committee recommended July 14 that the board not allow drones in any of the district's Oak Park locations.
Other public speakers, including drone operators, have voiced support for the ordinance at previous meetings, Gray said.
Voting to adopt the ordinance were board members Gray, Ed Abele, Brian Dennert and Chair Kate O'Brien. Dissenting was board member Elaine Freeman.
"I just don't see any benefit for us to allow drones in any of our open space or parks," she said.
Gray said Thursday he was pleased that the ordinance was adopted, noting that drone users now feel "like they have a space. And they're happy and content."
Mike Harris covers the East County cities of Moorpark, Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks, as well as transportation countywide. You can contact him at mike.harris@vcstar.com or 805-437-0323.
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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simi Valley parks district now permits drones in some parks
