Dizdar Park takes center stage as upgrade effort launches in Camarillo's Old Town

The launch of a major renovation project at Camarillo's Dizdar Park brought officials to the Old Town site Wednesday morning to celebrate.

The $9 million project will upgrade and expand the park at the southeast corner of Ventura Boulevard and Glenn Drive. Plans call for demolition of a vacant office building and former fire station to grow the park's footprint to 1.7 acres.

A new plaza, garden entryway, covered stage, public restrooms, shade trees, parking lot and more will take shape over the next 18 months or so. A new playground will feature a fire station theme. Public art will later be included.

The upgrade project has been in the works since 2019, with public workshops and environmental reviews along the way. In February, the City Council approved a $6.4 million construction contract for Ardalan Construction Inc. of Thousand Oaks. The total project cost also includes construction management, inspection services and design support, city officials said.