Residents urge Ojai to fund and maintain Clough Vista Park native-plant demonstration garden

Residents and volunteers used public comment on June 17 to press the Ojai City Council to restore and regularly fund maintenance of Clough Vista Park, a native-plant demonstration garden and site with Chumash-inspired art.

"Clough Vista Park is unique among the city's properties and deserves special attention," said Christine Golden, a longtime volunteer, who reminded the council that at the park—established in 2001—the original commitment included regular maintenance. "When Clough Vista was established...the city made a commitment — it would maintain the site and the completed improvements in a first class condition, and maintain the site's landscaping on a weekly basis," Golden said, reading from documents she submitted.

Other speakers described the park's environmental benefits: native plants save water, reduce pesticide use and support pollinators. "Native plants evolved with Ojai's climate, soil types, and wildlife," said a volunteer speaker. Golden and other speakers offered to lead council members and staff on a 45-minute weekday tour to show the site and the volunteer work that could inform a maintenance plan.

Council members and staff acknowledged the request and asked staff to include the park work in the city's task list for facilities and to evaluate options such as contracting specialized landscape maintenance or partnering with local nonprofits and volunteers. "This is not unusual," a councilmember said, referencing prior arrangements to hire Orion Landscaping for specialized work.

No funding decision was made at the meeting; speakers asked that park maintenance be considered in the city's upcoming budget and prioritized among recreation and parks projects.