A little history on Elings Park
Originally created as Las Positas Park, and briefly known as Las Positas Friendship Park, the Elings Park that we know today has had some milestone events in its history.
In January of 1965, the old City of Santa Barbara landfill was deemed to be full and was subsequently closed. Founder Jerry Harwin, Michael Pahos, Caesar Uyesaka and Foster Pratt met at the site of the closed Las Positas dump to consider the possibility of converting the 97 acre parcel to recreational use. Over the next 15 years, this vision came to be known as “Jerry’s Dream”.
In the spring of 1965, the search for funds began to plan an “athletic park”.
By October of 1972, Phase I was completed and the Tennis Court Complex was opened at a cost of $319,721. Today the tennis courts are city facilities and not a part of Elings Park.
In March of 1977, the city Parks and Recreation Commission approved the development of Las Positas Park into a “major sports and recreation complex”.
In July of 1980, the Las Positas Park Foundation received non-profit status and Jerry Harwin was elected as the first President of the Board of Directors. Major contributions for Phase II development were received in 1980.
On November 17th, 1985, the Grand Opening of Las Positas Park took place
In July of 1987, ground breaking ceremonies were held for the Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial, with a “very large crowd” in attendance. The Veterans Memorial Walk and Terrace of Remembrance were completed and dedicated on November 11, 1997, with 1,600 in attendance.
In September of 1988, the three lighted softball/baseball fields of the Castagnola Complex were opened.
In September, 1991, the Park was renamed “Las Positas Friendship Park”.
In 1994 the Foundation agreed to purchase the 133 acres of land adjoining the Park to the south from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) for $2.5 million, with the Jesuits donating $1 million back to the Foundation. This more than doubled the size of the Park. The First Capital Campaign for Las Positas Park, to raise the funds for this purchase, ended in 1998.
In 1999, Dr. Virgil Elings, local entrepreneur and philanthropist, donated $1.5 million to complete the purchase of the Jesuit Property and enhance the Endowment Fund. To recognize the generosity of Dr. Elings and other Elings Family members (particularly Mrs. Betty Wells, with a donation of $800,000), the park was renamed Elings Park and the foundation became the Elings Park Foundation. The B.P. Moser Trust also donated $460,000 toward the purchase of the Jesuit property.
In January of 1965, the old City of Santa Barbara landfill was deemed to be full and was subsequently closed. Founder Jerry Harwin, Michael Pahos, Caesar Uyesaka and Foster Pratt met at the site of the closed Las Positas dump to consider the possibility of converting the 97 acre parcel to recreational use. Over the next 15 years, this vision came to be known as “Jerry’s Dream”.
In the spring of 1965, the search for funds began to plan an “athletic park”.
By October of 1972, Phase I was completed and the Tennis Court Complex was opened at a cost of $319,721. Today the tennis courts are city facilities and not a part of Elings Park.
In March of 1977, the city Parks and Recreation Commission approved the development of Las Positas Park into a “major sports and recreation complex”.
In July of 1980, the Las Positas Park Foundation received non-profit status and Jerry Harwin was elected as the first President of the Board of Directors. Major contributions for Phase II development were received in 1980.
On November 17th, 1985, the Grand Opening of Las Positas Park took place
In July of 1987, ground breaking ceremonies were held for the Vietnam Veterans Living Memorial, with a “very large crowd” in attendance. The Veterans Memorial Walk and Terrace of Remembrance were completed and dedicated on November 11, 1997, with 1,600 in attendance.
In September of 1988, the three lighted softball/baseball fields of the Castagnola Complex were opened.
In September, 1991, the Park was renamed “Las Positas Friendship Park”.
In 1994 the Foundation agreed to purchase the 133 acres of land adjoining the Park to the south from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) for $2.5 million, with the Jesuits donating $1 million back to the Foundation. This more than doubled the size of the Park. The First Capital Campaign for Las Positas Park, to raise the funds for this purchase, ended in 1998.
In 1999, Dr. Virgil Elings, local entrepreneur and philanthropist, donated $1.5 million to complete the purchase of the Jesuit Property and enhance the Endowment Fund. To recognize the generosity of Dr. Elings and other Elings Family members (particularly Mrs. Betty Wells, with a donation of $800,000), the park was renamed Elings Park and the foundation became the Elings Park Foundation. The B.P. Moser Trust also donated $460,000 toward the purchase of the Jesuit property.