Berens Park
SIZE	2.65 Acres
LOCATION	10144 Sonoma Creek Drive: West of Sonoma Creek Drive, East of Rhone River Drive, and North of Mosher Road (EAST ELK GROVE)
PARK FEATURES	Open Play Areas Picnic Area/Tables Shade Structure Playground Equipment
COMPLETED	2005
BIOGRAPHY	Enthusiasm for assisting in the growth of the youth of Elk Grove is not a foreign concept for Lloyd and Barbara Berens. The husband and wife team were an active community force in Elk Grove since 1980; Lloyd was active in community youth sports until he passed away in 1998 and Barbara continues to be active in community activities today. Lloyd and Barbara have been long time residents of the Elk Grove community. Barbara, daughter of Jim and Juanita Hunter, grew up in Elk Grove and Lloyd, son to Verna and Frank Berens, came to Elk Grove in 1980. Lloyd and Barbara met in 1978 and were married in 1980 on New Year´s Eve, a date that was chosen by Lloyd so he would never forget it. Lloyd's career path took him to varied places. He spent time in the United States Air Force and played basketball for the Air Force. Lloyd was also a member of the United States exhibition water polo team in 1971 and volunteered as a referee for the Sacramento area adult basketball league. Back at home, he worked his way up through the ranks at Saccani Distributing. He started as a truck driver and eventually ascended to sales manager, a position he held until his death. Lloyd enjoyed playing recreational softball and played in leagues that ran in Elk Grove Park, sometimes playing on two or three teams at a time. Barbara has worked for the Elk Grove Unified School District for the past 31 years and has spent the past 21 years as the School Site Controller for Elk Grove High School. Barbara has also worked in various departments for the school district, including adult education, purchasing, accounting, and budgeting. Lloyd enjoyed being directly involved in the causes that he supported. He volunteered as an Elk Grove Bambino baseball coach and also spent time as a coach and referee for the Elk Grove Youth Soccer League (EGYSL). Lloyd was very involved with the Elk Grove Junior Herd, serving as coach, publicity manager, and equipment manager from 1990 to 1998. He also assisted the Elk Grove High School football coaching staff as a statistician. Barbara also served in numerous capacities in many Elk Grove youth sports associations. She volunteered as secretary for Home Field Advantage (HFA) for 3 years and served on the Elk Grove Junior Herd Publicity Committee from 1990 to 2000. She is also an active member of the Elk Grove Quilt Guild. A memorial golf tournament in Lloyd's memory was started in 1999 and is held at Dry Creek Golf Club. The proceeds collected from the tournament go to two $500 scholarships for football players, cheerleaders or band members at Elk Grove High School. In the past two years, an additional $500 has been donated to prostate cancer research through CapCure. The Berens are the proud parents of two sons, Brade and Ryan, who have excelled in golf, basketball, soccer, baseball and bowling.
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