Save Los Encinos Park from Closure! Jan 12, 2011   Save Los Encinos State Historic Park- Information Resources: calparks.org/losencinos     *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*     Valley jewel' wins reprieve By Melissa Pamer, Daily News Staff Writer Posted: 01/07/2012 09:49:25 PM PST Updated: 01/07/2012 10:58:28 PM PST Los Encinos State Historic Park is one of 70 state parks threatened with closure because of state budget cuts. A task force organized by state Sen. Fran Pavley that wants to save the park recently got a reprieve in the form of a $150,000 anonymous donation. That will keep the park open for another year after it was set to close this summer. (John McCoy/Daily News Staff Photographer)   Hidden behind stucco walls along busy Ventura Boulevard in Encino lies a quiet oasis on five small acres -- just a thousandth of the grand rancho it once was. Los Encinos State Historic Park was at various times a Tongva village, a cattle ranch, a working farm and a stagecoach stop on the historic El Camino Real route between Spanish missions. As a park and educational site, it has embodied the Old West for generations of San Fernando Valley children school field trips. But public access to the park and its historic blacksmith shop, natural spring and guitar-shaped pond might end soon. That's because Los Encinos is on a list of 70 state parks that are slated for closure due to budget cuts. The park, however, got a temporary reprieve from closure recently. Early on the day after Christmas, the office of state Sen. Fran Pavley, who has formed a task force to keep the park open, was called by a Valley resident who had heard about the threatened park closure. He and his family said they wanted to donate $150,000 to keep the park open. "They decided to make this amazing generous end-of-year contribution," said Pavley, D-Calabasas. "They wanted to make it anonymous, which I support, and it makes it even more generous." The donation - which will be funneled through the California State Parks Foundation - ensures that the park can remain open for one more year after a looming summer closure date. But with a continuing state budget crunch likely, what happens after 2013 remains unknown. Pavley hopes the anonymous donation will encourage others to open their pocketbooks to help the park. The park, one of the state's smallest, charges no entry fee and can't even make money from charging for parking, because there is none. It costs the California Department of Parks and Recreation $210,000 to run Los Encinos every year, according to Pavley's district director, Rebekah Rodriguez. A former middle school history teacher who grew up in Sherman Oaks, Pavley holds the park especially dear. "The trip down old Ventura Boulevard went right past that park. I was probably one of the few people who knew that park existed if you weren't in the immediate area," Pavley said. "Think of how the Valley has changed over the years, and here we have this 5-acre hidden resource."     Park Interpretive Specialist Jennifer Dandurand talks about the history of the Rancho El Encino. (John McCoy/Daily News Staff Photographer)   Jennifer Dandurand, an interpretive specialist with California State Parks who gives tours of Los Encinos, said it is the rich background of the site that contributes to its charm and value. "What makes this site super cool is there's so much history here," Dandurand said. "This kind of encapsulates the history of California." Community opposition to shuttering the park has been slowly building, spurred by resident Amy Zidell and Encino Neighborhood Council member Kathy Moghimi-Patterson, among others. Both women sit on Pavley's task force. "It just is not acceptable to have it closed. It needs to stay open," Zidell said. Moghimi-Patterson said the historic nature of Los Encinos makes it important, but it's also a community park and gathering place for families. "It's like a jewel to all of us who live in Encino," she said.   -Melissa Pamer, Los Angeles Daily News Follow Melissa Pamer on Twitter at twitter.com/mpamer Follow this link to view the article on the LA Times website: www.dailynews.com/news/ci_19698323   *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*        Los Encinos State Historic Park Receives $150,000 From Anonymous Donor, But More Funding Still Needed  A donor has given $150,000 to help save the park, which was slated to close in July.   By Anna King, Encino Patch January 7, 2012   Los Encinos State Historic Park, which was threatened with closure this year after state budget cuts, has hopefully been granted a temporary reprieve, according to Kathy Moghimi-Patterson of the Encino Neighborhood Council.  An anonymous donor came forward with $150,000 for the park, said Moghim-Patterson. The amount should be enough to stop the park from closing in July, although this has yet to be officially confirmed with the Department of Parks and Recreation, according to Moghimi-Patterson. The money is currently being held in trust by the CalPark Foundation.  Moghimi-Patterson said of the donor that "From what I hear they took their children to the park, and they were really saddened by this whole thing, and that's why they made that commitment."  Moghimi-Patterson said that the battle was not over, and that funds would still needed for the following years. She said she had been working with Congressman Howard Berman's office, which will be funding banners for display on Ventura Boulevard to raise awareness of the park's plight. Local residents, together with Senator Fran Pavley, banded together to form a taskforce to save the park in December. -Anna King, Encino Patch   Check out Encino Patch's full coverage of the effort to save Los Encinos by following the links below. 'Save Los Encinos' Task Force Holds First Meeting Why Pavley Is Pushing to Save Encino's 'Hidden Jewel' Pavley, Residents Discuss How to Save Los Encinos State Historic Park Commentary: Save Los Encinos State Historic Park Brothers Donate Bake Sale Funds to Help Save Los Encinos Park Commentary: Neighborhood Council Update on Los Encinos State Historic Park Los Encinos State Historic Park Targeted for Shutdown As Closure Looms, Supporters of Historic Encino Park Scramble    *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*                L.A. NOW Southern California -- this just in Anonymous gift of $150,000 will help keep Encino park open By Ann M. Simmons, Los Angeles Times January 5,  2012  10:52 pm   This post has been corrected. See note at bottom for details. Photo: A visitor feeds the geese and ducks at the pond at Los Encinos State Historic Park. Credit: Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times An anonymous donor has given a much-welcomed New Year’s gift to San Fernando Valley residents: Enough money to keep Los Encinos State Historic Park from closing -- at least for a year. State Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills), who has been working to prevent closure of the Encino park located in her 23rd District, said a San Fernando Valley man and his family who wish to remain unnamed have contributed $150,000 to saving the park. Los Encinos was among 70 California parks facing closure because of state budget cuts. The park costs about $210,000 to operate annually, according to the state parks department. Supporters were trying to raise at least $150,000 by the July deadline to keep it open. According to Pavley, who created a task force to help the community brainstorm ways to raise money to keep it open, the donor spotted a story in The Times about the park’s impending closure. “He had taken his kids to the park several times,” Pavley said. “He immediately went home, spoke to his wife and decided to contribute ... enough money to keep it open for an additional year.” “It’s a great victory,” Kathy Moghimi-Patterson, an Encino Neighborhood Council board member who is leading the campaign to save the park, said of the gift. “Our job isn’t done yet, but we’re closer to our goal. We’re hoping that someone matches the amount of the donation.” The 5-acre parkat the corner of Balboa and Ventura boulevards in Encino, which many locals describe as a “hidden treasure,” was an early California rancho. It includes an original nine-room adobe, built in 1849; a two-story house made of limestone; and a guitar-shaped pond fed by a natural spring and home to geese, mallards and coots. The property was used in turn by Native Americans, cattle ranchers and French sheep farmers. Period pieces from the 19th century adorn the inside of the adobe. Docents host guided tours, and park staff members stage monthly reenactments of life in the Old West for schoolchildren. The grounds are bedecked with cactus, citrus and Australian silk oaks. Generations of families have frequented the park, according to Moghimi-Patterson. “The generosity of a Valley resident to keep it open is really inspirational and will really incentivize the work of the task force,” Pavley said. “You think of all the children who will benefit from this.” [For the record, 4:10 p.m. Jan. 6: A previous version of this post said a San Fernando man made the donation. Pavley's office now says the man and his family made the donation.] -Ann M. Simmons, Los Angeles Times ann.simmons@latimes.com   Follow this link to view the article on the LA Times website: latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/01/los-encinos-state-park.html     *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*           Los Encinos State Historic Park Faces Closure . The Encino park is one of 70 targeted for closure as part of California budget cuts. Fans are dismayed. By Ann M. Simmons, Los Angeles Times December 26, 2011                                        The 5-acre Los Encinos State Historic Park includes an original nine-room adobe built in 1849, a two-story limestone house and a pond fed by a natural spring.(Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times/ December 14, 2011)   Its buildings have survived droughts and earthquakes. But now Los Encinos State Historic Park faces another kind of hardship: state budget cuts. The San Fernando Valley park is among 70 state parks facing closure because California needs to save money. But local residents won't give up the cherished refuge without a fight. "Generations of people have come to this park. It's such a waste to close it," said Kathy Moghimi-Patterson, an Encino Neighborhood Council board member who is leading the campaign to save Los Encinos. "This is not just an empty space." The 5-acre park at the corner of Balboa and Ventura boulevards in Encino, was an early California rancho and includes an original nine-room adobe, built in 1849, a two-story house made of limestone and a guitar-shaped pond fed by a natural spring. Docents host guided tours, and park staff members stage monthly reenactments of life in the Old West for schoolchildren. Roy Stearns, a spokesman for the California Department of Parks and Recreation, said Los Encinos landed on the closure list because it is "a public access park that doesn't generate revenue." For example, 2009 to 2010 saw profits of only $50, park statistics show. The park costs about $210,000 to operate annually, according to the state parks department. To keep it open, even temporarily, supporters said they must raise at least $150,000 by July. State Sen. Fran Pavley(D-Agoura Hills), whose 23rd District includes Encino, is trying to save the park she called "a hidden treasure" and has delegated a task force to help the community brainstorm ways to raise money to keep it open. Stearns said the decision to close the park could be reversed if a partner or donor could be found to support its maintenance. Los Angeles Councilman Paul Koretzis also fighting the closure and has introduced a resolution to save the park. He said he feared that the location would become "a target for vandalism and graffiti" if the park closed. Residents are doing what they can. Alanna Goldman's sons Ryan, 10, Jake, 8, and 6-year-old Bryce were so concerned about its impending closure that they hosted a bake sale of homemade cookies, brownies and cinnamon rolls and raised about $130, which they donated toward saving the park. "It's a very special place," Goldman said. "I have many fond memories of my kids and I feeding the ducks and wandering among the cacti and citrus trees there," said Eileen Weiss, mother of four, who lives nearby. Now she worries that her 6-month-old daughter, Yocheved, won't get to visit the park. On a recent afternoon, Jennifer Dandurand park interpreter, explained how the property was used in turn by Native Americans, cattle ranchers and French sheep farmers. Inside the adobe, Dandurand showed off period items, including a 19th century branding iron, rope made from horsehair, and a gunpowder horn. Outside, cactuses, citrus and Australian silk oaks dotted the manicured grounds, where a glistening natural spring pond hosted squawking geese, mallards and coots. Fifteen-month-old Caroline Zicari squeaked with delight as she scuttled on still-wobbly legs and threw pellets of duck food — sold by the park for 25 cents — through the chain fence enclosing the pond. "She gets very excited," said Sunny Munguia, Caroline's grandfather, who takes the toddler to the park every Wednesday. "There are so few places you can take children to, where they can see the magic of the Earth — the open skies, the trees, the water," Munguia said. -Ann Simmins, Los Angeles Times ann.simmons@latimes.com Follow this link to view the article on the LA Times website:  articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/26/local/la-me-los-encinos-park-20111226   *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*       Update on Los Encinos State Historic Park         December 8th 2011 The Encino Neighborhood Council is working hard on ways to save the park from closure in 2012, a member reports: Due to the lack of time at the meeting last night, I was not able to report on Los Encinos State Historic Park. The following is the summary of the efforts being made to keep the park open. Pursuant to the meeting with Sen. Fran Pavley on Nov. 18, Los Encinos Docent Association announced that it was willing and ready to take the donations for the park. A few other nonprofit organizations came forward to do the same.  Los Encinos Docent has been exclusively involved with the Los Encinos park and state of California for many years now. Los Encinos Docent does not have a lot of personnel but this also means that this organization does not have substantial expenses and costs. Accordingly, the majority agree that we should continue asking for the donations to go to Docent versus other nonprofit organizations. An independent community member, Amy Zidell, has been working with Docent to make a more comprehensive and fully integrated website for Saving Los Encinos. Special thanks to her for her volunteer work.    It is important to remember that although the closure of the park is scheduled for July 1, 2012, realistically we need to collect $150,000 by May 2012. We need at least a couple of months to negotiate with the state and, hopefully, take the park off the list before the closure date. Another park by the name of Mono Lake Park has been eliminated from the list of 70 California state parks facing closure. This is due to several reasons, such as the scientific and educational importance of the park. Also, the park has started taking admission fees.  I have been in contact with Assemblymember Bob Blumenfield’s office to see whether we can do the same for Los Encinos, considering that the park has important historic and educational value. The difference between Mono Lake and Los Encinos is that Los Encinos does not have as many visitors as Mono Lake.  Although it appears that Los Encinos cannot be easily removed from the list based on its historic and educational values, I continue my efforts to make it possible. It is important to continue spreading the word about Los Encinos. Laurie Kelson, Jean Strauber and I have been working hard to get the attention of the media and newspapers on this matter. Thanks to all of those involved. We have also been in contact with influential people and many businesses in the community about the park and its closure. As mentioned before, donations are temporary bandages on the problem. The goal is to make the park profitable, or we will be facing the same issue year after year. On Dec. 14, 2011, at 2 p.m., Sen. Pavley is holding a meeting on Los Encinos at the Encino Chamber office. A task force will be designated at this meeting. Please come to the meeting if you are serious and willing to help. Thank you for your attention. —Kathy Moghimi-Patterson email: moghimilaw@yahoo.com to join the effort     *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*              Keep Los Encinos Park Open    Share your feelings with the Governor! Our state is facing very tough fiscal times. Recently, the director of State Parks announced the closure of 70 of the 278 current state parks. One of these parks is LOS ENCINOS PARK, a beautiful historic park in our neighborhood. We all have an obligation to preserve and promote California history and LOS ENCINOS PARK plays an important part of our history in San Fernando Valley.  We urge you to contact the authorities and prevent this closure.  Please contact Governor Brown: govnews.ca.gov/gov39mail/mail.php.  If you wish to write and send a letter via mail, please write to:  Office of the Governor  State Capitol  Sacramento, CA 95814  or  Los Encinos State Historic Park  16756 Moorpark St.  Encino CA 91436 (You can also contact the park at los-encinos.org/contact.html) LOS ENCINOS PARK preserves our historic, cultural and scenic treasures and contributes to our state's economy.  Historically, LOS ENCINOS PARK has entertained thousands of School Tours and Camping Programs, Living History Programs, and Family and Friends’ Picnics and Parties. For further information about this park, please visit their website at: los-encinos.org/. Last but not least, spread the word to all of your friends and family members!  Encourage them to  participate in sending emails and letters to the California authorities. *Please visit California State Parks Foundation at calparks/losencinos.org to make a donation. Please indicate the name of Los Encinos on your checks or when you are making a donation on line.*               Brothers Donate Bake Sale Funds to Help Save Los Encinos Park!   Three young boys, ages 6 to 10, raise money in effort to keep open the historic state park, which is slated to close in July 2012. When three young brothers learned that Los Encinos State Historic Park was one of the 70 parks slated to close in July 2012, they wanted to do something about it. The Goldman brothers—Ryan, 10, Jake, 8, and Bryce, 6—were concerned about the impending closure and wanted to help, their mother said. "We’ve been going to it since we were babies so we wanted to save the park," Jake said. On Aug. 26, the brothers held a bake sale in their neighborhood, about three miles from the park.  "We made cookies, brownies, Rice Krispies Treats, fudge, lemonade and cinnamon rolls," Jake told Encino Patch. The result? The boys raised $130.75, which they donated to Los Encinos State Historic Park to help keep it open. Neighbors and community members were extremely supportive, said the boys’ mother, Alanna Goldman."It was something they did completely on their own," she said.“Since the boys had the bake sale, they have been asking me almost daily whether I think the park will stay open,” she said. The Goldman brothers have had picnics in the park, played tag and fed the ducks."I also like going inside the part of the park that has all of the paintings where you can read about the history," Bryce said. The boys received official praise for their efforts. Sean Woods, superintendent for the Los Angeles sector of California State Parks, described the fundraiser as a truly “grass-roots campaign” and a great example of how kids can work toward making a difference. "They've always seen the park as a haven within our community, a safe, happy place to go and play and have picnics," Goldman said. "It’s so hidden, which makes it such a beautiful thing in an urban area, and yet has a historical significance that makes it special." Article From: