Coveted oceanfront land in Ventura County will become a nature preserve as the Lavezzi family continues to acquire parcels in the area they call “The Valley.”
The new Lavezzi park, located east of Ventura on the coast of San Miguel Island, is part of the largest project in the Valley to protect wildlife from development and protect its natural and recreational potential, according to a news release.
The 14-acre park, which will be opened Sept. 11, will also offer more than 150,000 square feet of outdoor recreation and natural amenities, including more than 30 miles of natural shoreline trails and a marina.
Lavezzi Park, a joint venture between the City of Ventura and the county of Ventura, will feature a historic hotel and marina, the Ventura Lagoon, a marina with a yacht club, water sports, picnicking, family fun and more.
The property also is home to a historic lighthouse and the historic Coast Guard Station Point Bolinas.
The park was purchased in 1998 from City of Ventura Planning and Resource Management Director William “Bill” H. Lavezzi for $1.05 million.
“We are delighted to bring this unique property to the community and are very excited to have the community have ownership of this project,” said city manager Bob Hittner in the release.
The purchase of the property was part of a larger project known as the Coastal Conservation Management Act, which was created to bring the county into compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
As a result, U.S. EPA issued a permit for the county to acquire additional property and expand the Coastal Conservation Management Act to protect about 10,000 acres. The new park will be on the property.
The Coastal Conservation Management Act was passed by the state Legislature in 2001 and adopted by the U.S. Congress in 2002. A previous version of the Coastal Conservation Management Act was adopted in 1992.
Ventura County officials believe the Coastal Management Act is a model for other communities across the
