Following his official assumption of leadership on August 3, Steve Wright has taken the helm of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District with a commitment to broaden public accessibility and modernize local recreational resources. Serving the communities of Simi Valley and Oak Park, Wright views public parklands as communal treasures that must remain open, welcoming, and barrier-free for all residents, guided by the belief that nature does not discriminate and the outdoors lacks arbitrary boundaries.
The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board of directors unanimously approved Wright’s hiring on July 15, concluding a nationwide search to fill the top administrative post. His appointment marked a fresh chapter for the district as it sought stable leadership to oversee its diverse portfolio of public facilities, open spaces, and regional programs.
Wright takes over the agency approximately four months after the retirement announcement of former district manager Dan Paranick in March. Paranick had previously been placed on a leave of absence in November following allegations of aggressive and intoxicated conduct during an event hosted by the Ventura County Young Republicans.
The leadership transition also followed internal agency turmoil that culminated in February, when a member of the park district’s governing board pursued formal legal action against the district. The board member alleged that Paranick had engaged in targeted harassment and discrimination tied to the trustee's learning disability.
Bringing extensive administrative leadership to the district, Wright offers more than three decades of experience spanning both public institutions and private non-profit organizations. His career background includes serving as a vice president for the YMCA of Greater Houston, as well as holding directorships overseeing municipal parks and recreation departments in the Texas cities of Houston and College Station.
Most recently, Wright served as the chief of strategic partnerships for Harris County Precinct Four in Texas, a vast jurisdiction encompassing more than 400 individual park sites. Transitioning from that sprawling regional network to Rancho Simi’s 51 parks provides him with an opportunity to manage a more compact and personalized municipal system.
The move also represents a meaningful personal homecoming for Wright and his family. Three decades ago, he and his wife raised their children in Simi Valley, watching them grow, learn to swim, and participate in local youth soccer leagues. Returning to the area allows Wright to re-establish close ties with a community that left an enduring impression on his family life.
Central to Wright’s management philosophy is the preservation of open space and the development of what sociologists term "third places"—environments existing distinct from the demands of work and home. He emphasizes that well-maintained parklands offer safe, restorative environments where individuals can be themselves while either initiating or renewing their relationship with nature.
Looking ahead, Wright has articulated a proactive vision for the park district, asserting that the organization must avoid complacency and actively anticipate shifting public needs. Rather than relying on previous accomplishments, he believes the district’s primary objective should be staying ahead of industry trends and evolving definitions of community health, wellness, and recreation.
Among the specific recreational demands Wright plans to address is the surging public appetite for dedicated pickleball venues and expanded cycling infrastructure. Additionally, he aims to intentionally incorporate mental health considerations into project planning and recreational programming across the agency.
Infrastructure modernizations are also central to Wright’s administrative agenda. Key priorities include undertaking extensive renovations at the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park and Community Center to maintain its relevance for local families, alongside facility enhancements at the Rancho Simi Activity Center to ensure it remains fully functional during higher-temperature summer months.
To achieve these operational goals, Wright stresses the necessity of fostering collaborative partnerships with neighboring governmental entities while cultivating an inclusive environment for public feedback. He has voiced a strong intention to engage younger community members and ensure decision-making reflects a broad spectrum of local perspectives rather than only the loudest voices in the room.
Operating as a self-identified servant leader, Wright views trust as an asset that must be actively earned through consistent follow-through and transparent governance. He intends to actively solicit input from residents across both Simi Valley and Oak Park, fulfilling municipal commitments to solidify confidence in the district's operational direction.
Ultimately, Wright plans to maintain a highly visible and accessible presence throughout the park system rather than confining his management to an office. By engaging with constituents directly along public trails, at board meetings, and across local facilities, he intends to align the district’s operations closely with the daily experiences of the residents it serves.
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