New superintendent joins Pleasant Valley park district
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Daryl Wagar

Daryl Wagar may be new to the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, but the 37-year-old has the experience to know what it takes to help keep an active park district running smoothly.

Wagar, the district's new superintendent, said he'll be busy with district wide improvement projects throughout the year, but added that he expects it to become a whole lot busier next year.

"It's a great time for the district," Wagar said.

The district has made improvements to several parks this year- replacing playground equipment and play surfaces at several parks and renovating Pleasant Valley Pool, now called Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center, which reopens Sat., June 16.

Wagar came to the district in February, filling a position that had been vacant for more than four years. He spent 19 years in Ventura's parks department- much of the time as a park supervisor- gaining expertise in proper park management and care.

As Pleasant Valley's superintendent, Wagar will command the daily operations and have sway over long-term planning. Maintaining all of the district's buildings, equipment and parks falls on his shoulders, and he couldn't be happier.

"It's an important role in the community," Wagar said. "There's a lot of great staff here. I'm really pleased with the move."

General Manager Dan LaBrado said Wagar is the right person to lead the district's 30 or so field employees. Wagar is an expert in the various areas that an effective superintendent must know- from tree maintenance to irrigation systems to the proper grass species for sports fields and beyond, LaBrado said.

"He's a definite steal," LaBrado said.

Wagar said part of his job will be to help the park district meet the recreational desires of a growing and changing city population.

The district wants the community well-informed about all it has to offer so it can identify what gaps in programs or services may exist and, with community input, develop the best way to meet those needs, he said.

Among the projects on the horizon are working with the California Conservation Corps to increase the number of hiking trails at Camarillo Grove Park, improving restroom facilities at Freedom Park, resurfacing the tennis courts at the aquatic center and replacing the flooring at the Community Center.

In addition, construction on the sports park at Village at the Park could be out to bid by the year's end, Wagar said.