Ventura - Premier Visitors Guide 2007-2008 - (Page 30) EAST END Another world at city’s edge near Victoria Avenue and eastward around town D ifferent landscapes, moods, architecture and climate at the far East End of Ventura make the region seem like another world entirely. Home of Ventura College and the Ventura County Government Center, the East End also exudes a remarkably intellectual character. This stimulating environment, along with the warmer inland climate, vast open space, farms and easy access to Hwys. 126 and 101, have attracted many new residents in the last decade. This population boom has transformed the area into a “Family Action Center,” with an incredible array of exceptional kid-and-family-oriented parks and activities. The East End also boasts great golf courses and shopping. Get Back to Nature Discover the wonders of Ventura’s natural world at Arroyo Verde Park (Foothill and Day roads)—a lovely natural preserve with 132 acres of relatively rugged land. It includes treelined open grass areas, individual picnic/barbecue sites, group barbecue areas, a nature center, several miles of hiking trails, restrooms and children’s play areas. The park charges a nominal parking fee on Sundays and holidays. Athletically inclined folks should head to sports-oriented Camino Real Park, at Dean Drive and Varsity Street. The 38-acre complex includes eight lighted tennis courts, a tennis center, softball/baseball fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, snack bar/concession buildings, children’s play areas, soccer/football field space, picnic facilities and restrooms. In the winter, brightly colored monarch butterflies come to Camino Real to roost in eucalyptus trees. A fascinating stop for adults and children alike, the grove harbors clusters of the delicate black-and-orange butterflies within its branches (at first, you’ll think they’re just leaves until you see the telltale flutter of shuddering wings). The City of Ventura (6584726) leads excursions to the site during the season (Dec.-Jan.). The fabulous 100-acre Ventura Community Park (www.ci.ventura.ca.us) located at Telephone and Kimball roads, is being built in phases. A 25-acre portion of the park is now open to the public. The new facilities include separate recreation, activity and competition pools, two 25-foot-tall water slides, a bathhouse, multi-purpose fields and a 1.25 mile lighted pedestrian/bike path. Other sports fields and enhancements are in the works. 30 VENTURA VISITORS GUIDE “Ventura—known for its serene beaches, historical downtown and proximity to Los Angeles is priding itself as a doggie hot-spot of the West Coast.” —Bay Area Family Travel magazine Dog Parks Ventura has two parks where dogs are permitted to run free: Camino Real Park and Arroyo Verde Park. Camino Real Park, located at Dean Drive and Varsity Street, has a fenced area in the southwest corner of the park where dogs and their owners can socialize and exercise. Hours of the dog park are dawn to dusk. Arroyo Verde Park at Foothill and Day roads, has a designated off-leash area with benches and drinking fountains for dogs and their people. Hours are Tuesday–Sunday from 6–9 a.m. excluding holidays and days reserved for special events. MARK DOLYAK http://www.ci.ventura.ca.us
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