The five-member Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission meets on the first Thursday of the month, at 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Members of the public wishing to address the commission may do so by completing a speaker’s slip upon arrival at the meeting. There is a three minute time limit per person.
Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers, 1st floor of City Hall, 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA. (view map) For more information, contact the Commission Secretary at (661) 255-4965.
Chair Skye Ostrom
Term Expires: December 2026
“I am proud of Santa Clarita!”, is a statement that Skye Ostrom often says….and she means it! She moved here with her parents, Dennis and Susan, and her sister in 1979 when they purchased a 2.5 acre parcel of land in Sand Canyon. When they first got to the property it was on a rural dirt road and had 2 oak trees. As a family they set to planting an orchard, building a house, and developing the acres into a small hobby ranch which they still work today.
Skye attended Sulphur Springs Elementary, Sierra Vista Jr. High, Canyon High School, COC, and then left the SCV for some years to attend UCLA where she got her 1st degree in Microbiology with an emphasis in Psychology. However, she always knew she would return to the city that she watched her parents and neighbors build up from 4 small townships into the strong and independent Santa Clarita Valley of today. Upon her graduation and return, Skye attained a teaching position at Sierra Vista and after 24 years, she is still there as a Science teacher, campus leader, and at times, a school counselor. Over the years she has continued her education to include two masters degrees in education and school counseling.
During her freetime Skye takes advantage of the resources SCV has to offer: hiking, riding her horses, going to community events, and enjoying the plethora of restaurants and shops around town. She also spends time working with youth and programs in the area that deal with animal husbandry, nature, mental health, and education. Skye, her sister, Rachael Dawn (Dr. Rachael of Twin Oaks Equine), and her parents also spend time traveling and experiencing unique places around the world. The vast list of experiences gained over the years have led Skye to becoming part of the Parks Commission where her dream is to make SCV into a destination that both residents and visitors are excited to come and enjoy.
As part of the Parks commission, Skye hopes to keep the momentum going for open space, hiking trails, and parks that she, her family, friends, and her students utilize. Along with this, she strongly supports the diverse resources and recreational programs that offer the community chances to participate and enjoy this special area of SoCal. She also wants our city to keep embracing a focus on healthy lifestyles with a variety of activities, educational opportunities, and positive mental health programs for all. “Santa Clarita is like family and I want us all to become the best version that we can be!”
Vice-Chair Jonathan Waymire
Term Expires: December 2024
Jonathan Waymire was raised in Santa Clarita and attended Meadows Elementary, Placerita Junior High School, and Hart High School. Growing up, he played football and basketball through Santa Clarita’s Parks and Recreation program and went on to play football at Hart. Following high school, he attended Cal State Fullerton, where he studied economics. Unfortunately, following his freshman year, he was diagnosed with stage IV Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was given a minimal chance of survival. After winning a lengthy battle, his life was set on a new trajectory. From that point on, Jonathan has dedicated his life to service and causes bigger than himself.
A year later, Jonathan joined the Navy and worked in Intelligence. During his service, Jonathan was selected to attend the prestigious Defense Language Institute in Monterey, where he learned to speak Korean fluently. While serving, Jonathan completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy and Global Business at the University of Maryland and later went on to complete his Juris Doctorate at Southwestern University, School of Law. Jonathan now proudly serves our Defense Industry from the private sector, as an attorney and contracts manager at Northrop Grumman.
Jonathan’s commitment to service extends to local causes as well. He is highly involved in Santa Clarita schools. He is currently the Chair of the Meadows Elementary Site Council. Within the Hart District, Jonathan serves on the Executive Board of the WiSH Education Foundation and the Measure SA Citizen Oversight Committee.
Jonathan also dedicates time to several other interests that are important to him. He is highly committed to serving the needs of fellow veterans through organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project and The Mission Continues. He is a member of VIA (Valley Industry Association), the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce, and the SCV Bar Association. Lastly, and of particular importance to Jonathan as a survivor, is his participation as an Executive Board Member of Circle of Hope; a non-profit supporting members of the community battling cancer.
Jonathan is married to Karla, with whom he shares his commitment to service with. They feel fortunate to be raising their young children in this amazing community. Jonathan understands the importance and value of maintaining our Parks and Recreation program and resources. He has spent his entire life enjoying these services and now provides those same opportunities to his children. Whether it’s the youth sports offered through Seasons, the parks that are always within walking distance, or the seemingly endless trails, Santa Clarita always has something to offer.
Jonathan understands these services take careful planning, oversight, and maintenance, to ensure they continue to be a point of pride for Santa Clarita. He is committed to fostering positive growth in this community’s youth. Whether it is through the parks and trails, the youth intervention and diversion programs, or through the various sports programs, he believes that this city can meet the needs of every member of the community.
Commissioner Henry Rodriguez
Term Expires: December 2024
Currently enrolled in an accelerated MBA program at The University of La Verne, Henry Rodriguez is a resident of the Santa Clarita Valley and started his State Farm agency in April of 2011.
Henry has one of the top performing State Farm agency’s in the country every year since 2011, and is consistently recognized with Senior Vice Presidents Club and is currently on time for Chairman’s Circle, Multi-line Presidents club and MDRT. Henry was also featured on a recent article in Elite magazine and was quoted saying, “give everyday 120%!”
Henry credits his success to strong team building, empowering his team to be leaders, mastering the art of networking, delivering a Remarkable client experience, using a wide range of marketing strategies and continuously learning and developing. Henry is also very active in his community; he sits on 2 prestigious non-profit boards (The Santa Clarita Economic Development Corp. & The Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce) and is the past Chair of Latino Business Alliance. He and his team make it a priority to engage in community events, give back, serve and simply be involved to only further strength relationships, assist in economic growth and remain relevant in the community he loves.
He is engaged to his fiancé Sonja and have two beautiful baby boys, Jayden, their oldest at 8 and Mason their youngest at only 6 years old. They are a baseball family and can often time be found at Hart baseball complex where Henry not only sponsors but gives back his time supports Hart baseball as a coach!
Commissioner Peggy Stabile
Term Expires: December 2026
When Peggy and Jeff Stabile relocated to the Los Angeles area in 1979 with their children, Beth and Jeff Jr., one of Jeff’s co-workers suggested Valencia, as “the perfect place to raise a family.” They were easily convinced when they saw the parks, paseos, schools, and small communities within the community!
With Jeff at work and the children at Placerita Junior High, Peggy began her career with the Hart District in January 1980 as a reading specialist at Bowman High School. She transferred to Hart’s Special Ed program and worked as a counselor at both Hart and Valencia High Schools. Diagnosed with breast cancer, she took early retirement but following treatment, returned to the work force as an adjunct counselor at COC. In 2010, she launched her own business, Pegasus 2 Edu, assisting families in navigating the college application process. Under her guidance, numerous Hart District students found their “dream” schools and were recipients of generous scholarships. She also worked pro bono with families in need and continues this practice each year.
While counseling at Hart, Peggy piloted TEENAGE GRIEF (TAG), a support program for students grieving deaths of loved ones. With a colleague, she initiated both the International Club, enabling students to share their cultures with classmates and UNITY, the first anti-bullying anti/discrimination program in the district. She also designed Operation US, during which UNITY teen leaders met with local 6th graders and shared activities that encouraged inclusion and acceptance of all. At the urging of her teen leaders who felt UNITY should be citywide, Peggy approached staff at the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Community Service Department who embraced the idea. And, in 1994, the city’s Human Relations Forum was established.
When their son came out in 1986, Peggy and Jeff joined PFLAG LA and eventually became board members. Two years later, 400 protesters held a demonstration on the median of Orchard Village Road to oppose a teacher who was lesbian and who was invited to address educators about creating safe spaces in their schools for their LGBTQ students. This event prompted the Stabiles to establish a PFLAG chapter in Santa Clarita. In addition to hosting meetings, Peggy organized a Speakers’ Bureau and led educational seminars and workshops for parents and teachers. At PFLAG SCV’s 30th anniversary celebration, the city recognized her for contributions that advanced equality by providing support, education, and advocacy on behalf of our LGBTQ children.
Since 1987, Peggy has watched city officials in Santa Clarita use caution and common sense to create an incredible community filled with opportunities that enable all age groups to find a way to belong. While maintaining the many wonderful programs the city already offers, as Commissioner, she hopes to investigate additions to these programs. She is especially interested in positive activities for at-risk youth as well as the development of both intergenerational programs and community interactions that will enable all of us to engage and embrace our city’s diverse populations.
Commissioner Don Cruikshank
Term Expires: December 2026
Don moved to the Newhall area of Santa Clarita with his family in 1957 at the young age of four. He is continually astounded at how our community has retained that small town feel despite our growth. Don has a long history of involvement in his community both professionally and personally. His businesses, AV Equipment Rentals and 24/7 Event Rentals are long time members of the California Rental Association and the American Rental Association. In addition, Don has been an active member in the Chamber of Commerce, winning Santa Clarita Valley Business of the Year in 1992 and Medium Business of the Year in 2001, 2002, and 2015. On a personal level, Don has been involved in a wide variety of service organizations including the Newhall-Saugus Lions Club where he served for 15 years becoming President in 1981/82. His involvement in youth activities has been his passion. He has both coached and managed baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, and football. Additionally he served as a board member for William S Hart Pony Baseball & Softball (President 1988-1991), Hart High Quarterback Club, Hart High School Cheer Boosters, and the William S. Hart Marching Regiment.
Currently he is set to start his 23rd year as a football coach at Hart High School and was recently appointed as a representative to the William S. Hart Union High School District Advisory Committee. Don has also become involved with the Career Readiness Collaborative, “Pathway to My Future”, a collaborative effort between the William S. Hart Union High School District, College of the Canyons, and industry partners in the Santa Clarita Valley. Don is supportive of expanding programs like the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), the Santa Clarita Community Court Diversion Program, and other programs that focus on teen issues in Santa Clarita.
Don feels that it is important for people in the community to become more engaged and influence the direction of our neighborhoods. He is enthusiastic about becoming more involved in some of these very important projects and appreciates the opportunity to help guide the responsible growth of our city to the benefit of all residents. Don was an avid supporter of the open space initiative and would like to see an expansion of open space, as well as additions to our parks and trail system which he frequents with his wife Denise and their grandchildren.
Don is excited to watch his community grow. “This growth has provided countless others with a wonderful place to put down roots and raise their new families.” Future growth is a certainty. His focus is to maintain and expand this exceptional lifestyle we collectively enjoy here in Santa Clarita.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or comments, the commissioners can be reached by email.
