Goleta donates $5k to help replace little league gear destroyed in shed fire

GOLETA, Calif. -- The City of Goleta donated $5,000 to help pay for equipment lost in a shed fire on Tuesday.

Goleta is lending a helping hand to the Dos Pueblos Little League to help pay for equipment destroyed in a suspected arson fire on August 18 at Girsh Park.

The fire caused an estimated $30,000 in damages, burning multiple types of equipment including pitching machines, bases and other general baseball equipment along with the shed itself.

In the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's investigations, they found graffiti located nearby that may have been related to the fire.

Goleta City Manager Michelle Greene authorized the grant money to help the little league replace their equipment.

“This donation confirms that the City of Goleta stands by DPLL and by Girsh Park, a vital and valued community space. We are committed to helping promote peaceful enjoyment of our parks for all members of our community, as we condemn all acts of vandalism and violence," said Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte.

The park is operated by the Foundation for Girsh Park, a non-profit organization. Though Girsh Park is not a city-owned facility, the city recognizes the importance it plays in the Goleta community.

Goleta City Councilmember Kyle Richards, who has served as the City’s representative on the Foundation for Girsh Park Board since 2017, said, “The City will stand up against this assault on our community. This is not what our community is about, and this does not represent the values of our City or its residents. We are saddened and outraged over the destruction at Girsh Park, both the graffiti vandalism and the arson. We know that our community's residents, businesses, and visitors will rally around the Dos Pueblos Little League and Girsh Park, and that's why we are Goleta Proud.”

For more information on Girsh Park, click here.

To help support the Dos Pueblos Little League, click here.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office is still looking for any information that could help find the suspect(s) in this crime. Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office 805-681-4150. You can also report an anonymous tip online or by calling the sheriff's tip line at 805-681-4171.