September 2023 Director’s Message

As we head into Labor Day Weekend, I’m looking forward to residents and visitors enjoying our beautiful marine environment at the Channel Islands Harbor.

Boaters will be sailing in-and-out of the Harbor, kayakers and paddle boarders will be cruising the waters, Silver Strand, Hollywood, and Kiddie beaches will be full, and everyone will be enjoying our magnificent public spaces.

Looking past this weekend and into the fall, the Harbor will be hosting two car shows and the 2nd Annual Parade of Frights in October. In December, don’t forget to save the date for the 57th Annual Parade of Lights, scheduled for Saturday, December 9th. The theme for the Parade of Lights will be “Santa’s Workshop.”

Harbor Development Updates

There is plenty of movement when it comes to some of the key developable parcels at the Harbor as well as a new update I’d like to share.

Harbor View Park Playground

First, the Ventura County Harbor Department is pleased to announce we have a draft concept for a new .25-acre playground at Harbor View Park, located just south of Marine Emporium Landing.

Features in the draft concept for the playground include entry monument signage, a climbable octopus play feature, pirate ship, climbing net, spiral slide, rubber playing surface, concrete picnic tables, a nature-inspired swing set, shade sails, and new concrete paths. You can view the draft plans for the playground by visiting this link.

We promoted the draft playground concept on social media and other digital platforms earlier this week and have received a lot of great feedback already. If you would like to speak with me and my staff in person, we will be at a booth at the Channel Islands Harbor Farmer’s Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 10th.

Construction of the playground will take place in the next 12-18 months following approvals from various government agencies. Please feel free to provide your feedback prior to this period.

Karl’s Adventure Village at Fisherman’s Wharf

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors, in April 2023, unanimously approved and authorized the Harbor Department to enter an Exclusive Right to Negotiate (ERN) with Robert Dahl, a German-based strawberry farmer and entrepreneur. The 12-month ERN allows Dahl’s development team to form its ownership entity, and begin design and construction analysis, among other times.

This past week Robert Dahl and his team walked and inspected the Fisherman’s Wharf site as part of their design and construction analysis. Robert and his team were extremely excited to walk the property and enter the structures at Fisherman’s Wharf. As you may recall, plans for Karls Adventure Village include refurbishing existing buildings and create new structures that would include restaurants, a specialty market, gift shops, toy and book shops, a coffee shop, public promenades, playgrounds, park areas, small children’s rides, as well as a potential small hotel.

There’s no doubt Robert has a great vision for Fisherman’s Wharf.

Hyatt Hotel on the Harbor Peninsula

The site of the new Hyatt Hotel was handed back to the developer, Brighton Management, in July 2023. Brighton Management is currently having their grading permit reviewed for the parcel, which is a necessary step to begin the construction process. Based on community feedback, I know there is a great interest in seeing the hotel begin construction. I would like to remind everyone that there are a lot of steps to be taken by the developer prior to the foundation being poured and the buildings actually being constructed.

As you can see, there’s a lot of movement at the Harbor when it comes to events, new public serving amenities, and construction. It’s a great time to be at the Harbor!

Michael Tripp, Director
Ventura County Harbor Department

Editor’s Note: this message was published on Aug. 31, 2023.