Boys concerned about park

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers SAVE THE PARK—Eric Kellenberger, center, with the help of his brothers, Brett, left and Kyle, right, raised $135 to help repair the vandal-caused tire tracks at Deerhill Park in Oak Park. Eric Kellenberger of Oak Park learned firsthand that age doesn’t matter when it comes to making a difference. Upset by recent damage to the field at Deerhill Park near his home, 9-year-old Eric decided to raise money for repairs.

Vandals had driven across the grass where Eric plays soccer, ripping up the turf and leaving deep tire marks over most of the field.

“It’s bad because they’re not doing it for any reason,” he said.

Eric and his brothers, Brett, 16, Kyle, 11, and parents Lauren and Scott, decided to sell coffee and treats during the recent AYSO soccer playoff games at Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park.

Starbucks in Agoura Hills donated coffee and containers. The Kellenbergers bought doughnuts and baked muffins and pumpkin bread. Eric and Kyle made a poster explaining the purpose of the sale. Brett set up the booth, and the family took turns manning it. People were very supportive, not asking for change for their cash and in some cases just making donations, according to Lauren Kellenberger.

“Our goal was $50 but we made $135,” she said.

Eric will present the check to the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board at its Jan. 18 meeting at the Oak Park Community Center.

“It’s wonderful to have that kind of initiative and desire to help,” said Colleen Janssen, Rancho Simi marketing and community outreach specialist.

Janssen does not recall anybody else ever raising money for park repairs. Damage to parks occurs much more frequently than people realize, Janssen added.

“People think there’s all this money to fix things, but the money to fix things is taken away from something else,” Janssen said.

Reseeding and other repairs needed to restore the field will run about $4,000, according to Eugene Molnar, Rancho Simi senior maintenance supervisor.

Dave Shattuck of Oak Park was one of Eric’s customers. He bought two cups of coffee.

“For a child to make a commitment like that, to put together a fundraiser to help someone else . . . I was really impressed,” Shattuck said.

Eric said he hopes the recent wave of vandalism at Deerhill Park is over. Besides damaging the field, vandals destroyed trees and painted graffiti on restroom walls.

“I like playing at Deerhill, and other people play there, too,” Eric said. “Kids think they can’t do anything to help, but I did it and it was easy and fun.”