At our July 10, 2024 meeting the Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council voted unanimously to support naming the new park on Mason the Jane & Bert Boeckmann Park, Porter Ranch.
Board Member Dean Kirk made the motion, "I am pleased and honored to have the opportunity to move to name the park the Jane & Bert Boeckmann Park. Honoring them is long overdue and I am delighted to support Councilmember Lee's leadership in this endeavor."
Board Member Hilda Sarkisyan seconded the motion and shared afterwards, "I am truly honored to have seconded the motion, especially after learning about the incredible contributions the Boeckmanns have made to our community. Their legacy of outstanding work and dedication is truly inspiring, and I am thrilled to be a part of this momentous occasion that will go down in history."
Community leaders in attendance spoke in support of the naming, including Councilmember John Lee, former Assemblymember Paula Boland, former Councilmember Greig Smith, Los Angeles Area Planning Commissioner for the North Valley Vic Sampson, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President for Galpin Motors Jeff Skobin and LAUSD Board Member Scott Schmerelson.
Former PRNC President Paula Cracium shares, "It was exciting to see the PRNC board welcome comments about naming the new park the Jane & Bert Boeckmann Park, Porter Ranch. For this incredible couple, that has blessed this community and the entire city of Los Angeles for decades, be honored in our community in this way, is also an incredible honor for Porter Ranch."
For those not in the know, the Boeckmann's owned and both actively ran Galpin Ford. They are known for their philanthropy and endless work in the valley, city and beyond. For PRNC President Becky Leveque, it was important for Jane's name to be listed first to acknowledge her significant role in bringing the valley together. Jane was the first woman recipient of the Fernando Award, the highest award for volunteerism and philanthropy in the San Fernando Valley.
President Becky Leveque is further looking forward to the return of the two Porter Ranch horse statues to be displayed in the Jane & Bert Boeckmann Park. She was active in finding and having them restored. They are currently being stored in the Valley Relics Museum.
Board members present at the meeting included President Becky Leveque, Vice President Hilda Sarkisyan, Treasurer Jason Hector, Secretary Christine Dimertshian, Dean Kirk, Nune Gipson, and David Balen.
PRNC Letter to RAP
Above photos courtesy of Hilda Sarkisyan