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Community Corner

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 was one of the 70 parks 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. 

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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.

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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."

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