Ojai Valley Open Space

For sale signs have been posted on an important piece of de facto open space land in Ojai.

A 1.68-acre parcel across California 33 from Nordhoff High School is for sale. It is next to a 19-acre undeveloped parcel. Together, these two parcels extend from Church Road north to the five-way stop where California 33, Cuyama Road and El Roblar Drive converge.

These properties are across the street from the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ojai Meadows Preserve. The sense of spaciousness and expansiveness one gets from this preserve is amplified by the open land that lies directly east across the highway.

Because Cuyama Road forms the northern boundary of this land, I like to refer to it as Cuyama Meadow. It would be a natural extension of the Ojai Meadows Preserve.

One substantial gift toward the purchase for preservation of Cuyama Meadow could really get things rolling. With momentum established, I hope the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy could be inspired to come on board and do the fund-raising and preservation work it does so well.

If you live in the Ojai Valley or visit there, the next time you go by this area, take in the spaciousness, the greenness, the natural beauty with the Topa Topa ridge in the background and the Ojai Meadows Preserve across the road, and please ask yourself, “Is this worth saving? Is it important to keep scenic land like this preserved forever?”

And if you do feel it is important to preserve it, please ask yourself, “What can I do to make it happen?”

If you really stay with this kind of a question, you will get direction, and you will make a difference.

JOHN CHRISTIANSON

Meiners Oaks