The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has entered a new chapter of leadership with the arrival of Steve Wright, an experienced municipal administrator who took the helm as district manager on August 3, 2026. Stepping into the role with decades of public sector experience, Wright has articulated an ambitious, community-centered vision for the public agency, focusing on expanding public accessibility, modernizing recreational facilities, and actively engaging residents across the region.
Wright’s hiring was finalized on July 15, 2026, when the district's governing board voted unanimously in favor of his appointment. The administrative transition brings stability to the organization following a turbulent period marked by the departure of its previous executive leadership earlier in the year.
The vacancy at the head of the agency arose after former District Manager Dan Paranick announced his retirement in March 2026. Paranick had previously been placed on a leave of absence in November 2025 amid public allegations concerning aggressive and intoxicated behavior during an event hosted by the Ventura County Young Republicans. The agency faced further institutional strain in February 2026 when a sitting board member initiated legal proceedings against the district, alleging that Paranick had engaged in workplace harassment and discrimination related to a learning disability.
Now steering the agency forward, Wright emphasizes an operating philosophy centered on the egalitarian nature of public outdoor spaces. For Wright, working in municipal recreation transcends personal interests in outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and camping. Instead, he views public parks as fundamental civic institutions that offer barrier-free environments where every resident can find equal access, regardless of their background.
Describing his appointment as a joyous responsibility, Wright regards his managerial role as one of temporary stewardship over assets that belong entirely to the local populace. He views public parks as essential third places—distinct environments outside of the home and work spheres—where individuals can safely gather, unwind, and establish or deepen their personal connection with the natural world.
Wright brings more than 30 years of extensive experience across both the private and public recreation sectors to his current position. Over the course of his administrative career, he has held prominent leadership posts, including serving as a vice president within the YMCA of Greater Houston and leading the municipal parks and recreation departments for 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. In that capacity, he was responsible for initiatives spanning a sprawling regional network comprising more than 400 public parks, providing him with substantial operational expertise in managing large-scale public recreation infrastructures.
Despite his extensive work in major metropolitan regions, Wright expressed strong enthusiasm for returning to Simi Valley to oversee the district's concentrated collection of 51 parks. The move marks a meaningful homecoming for Wright and his family, who lived in the area three decades ago when his children were young and first learned how to play soccer and swim in the local community.
Reflecting on his roots in the small town of Willis, Texas, Wright noted that different phases of life bring a deeper appreciation for close-knit community bonds. He highlighted Simi Valley’s pronounced sense of shared community as a primary motivation for his return, noting that managing a more personalized park system allows for deeper local relationships and direct public connectivity.
Looking to the future of the district, Wright identified the agency's primary mission as anticipating and adapting to evolving public expectations surrounding health, wellness, and outdoor leisure. Rather than maintaining the status quo or relying solely on past accomplishments, he stated that his primary goal is to ensure the district serves as an innovative leader in municipal recreation.
To meet modern recreation demands, Wright is preparing the district to accommodate emerging athletic and fitness trends. This includes expanding infrastructure for high-demand sports such as pickleball, enhancing regional bicycle trail networks, and intentionally integrating mental wellness components into park development projects.
The district's upcoming agenda also includes significant physical infrastructure improvements aimed at maintaining facility relevance and expanding year-round utility. Key projects on the horizon include broad renovations to the Rancho Santa Susana Community Park and its adjacent community center, as well as capital upgrades at the Rancho Simi Activity Center designed to keep the facility fully functional and comfortable during the hot summer months.
Achieving these strategic goals will require active collaboration with surrounding government bodies and regular consultation with local constituents. Wright noted that planning efforts must incorporate input from diverse demographics, emphasizing the necessity of soliciting perspectives from younger generations whose recreational preferences are actively shaping the future of public spaces.
Describing his administrative approach as rooted in servant leadership, Wright stated that public trust must be earned through transparent actions rather than taken for granted. He plans to prioritize direct dialogue with community members in both Simi Valley and Oak Park, ensuring that local input directly shapes agency decisions and that public commitments are reliably fulfilled.
Wright expressed eagerness to build strong relationships throughout the district by engaging residents directly in the community. Emphasizing his preference for fieldwork over administrative isolation, he reiterated that his passion lies outside the office, where he can interact with park visitors directly on the trails and within the public spaces he has been entrusted to manage.
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