The story behind the creation of Elings Park — when the Santa Barbara community came together starting in the 1960s to turn the former city dump into a community park — has been reimagined especially for children in “A Bobcat’s Tail,” a picture book published by and benefiting Elings Park.

“A Bobcat’s Tail” is written by Bruce Giffin, park supporter and local businessman; and Dean Noble, the park’s executive director; and illustrated by Laura-Susan Thomas, a former Disney Imagineer, now a professor of fine arts at Allan Hancock College.

The story is based on the local community leader Jerry Harwin, who led multi-decade efforts to establish and build Elings Park.

“Jerry had a vision that was far ahead of his time,” said Giffin, who knew Harwin and visited the dump as a child in his grandfather’s pickup truck.

“He saw how to take this city’s dump and turn it into an area for people and kids, and have it funded by people and kids,” Giffin said. “That’s what this story is really about. It’s also about how one person, even kids, can make a big difference in the world.”

Harwin frequently hiked in Las Positas Canyon area adjacent to Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood in the 1960s and ’70s. The city dump was located in part of the canyon.

In this kids’ version, Harwin discovers a young bobcat that had become sick after eating something from the dump. After nursing the bobcat back to health, he becomes inspired to turn the land into a community park suitable for animals and residents, especially children.

“Jerry may not have found a sick bobcat, but he certainly inspired the community,” said Noble. “The park has softball and soccer fields, tennis, BMX, summer camps, weddings, and much more, just as the founders intended.

“Bobcats are among the many animals that still live here, and we’ve since more than doubled the park’s size, adding open space for walking, cycling and enjoying.”

In the imaginary tale, Jerry takes a sick bobcat he found in Las Positas Canyon to a veterinarian, who sends the pair home with medicine and special milk.

Jerry learns that it isn’t easy to care for a wild animal, and gets the idea of turning the dump into a park suitable for both kids and animals.

He enlists the help of local children to make signs to rally the community to get park plans approved at a meeting with the mayor at City Hall (which was real).

In “A Bobcat’s Tail,” the bobcat nicknamed “Puff” plays a comical role in the outcome.

It took a long time, but many years later, the happy ending depicts people and animals playing and living side-by-side in the new park, just as Jerry had envisioned.

The endpapers contain illustrations of animals and plants seen at Elings Park, including monarch butterflies, Matilija poppies, manzanita, coyotes, beetles, rabbits and bobcats.

“A Bobcat’s Tail” went on sale on Elings Park’s 40th Anniversary, Nov. 18, for $19.95, at Chaucer’s Bookstore in Santa Barbara, Tecolote Book Shop in Montecito, and at the Park Office (credit cards only).

Elings Park is a private nonprofit that receives no tax dollars or government support for operations or maintenance. It depends entirely on community support to stay open and admission-free year-round.

Each year, more than 260,000 children, youth and adults visit Ellings Park, which is the largest privately supported public park in the United States.

In 1999, an additional 133 acres were added to the original 90 acres secured by Harwin’s initial effort.

The name changed from Las Positas Park to Elings Park in recognition of a major donation by Virgil Elings. The additional land remains undeveloped and offers nine miles of trails, and sweeping ocean, island and city views.

About Jerry Harwin

Harwin’s family moved to Los Angeles when he was 12 years old. After attending USC, he worked in the family’s jewelry business and served in the Merchant Marines. In 1944, he moved to Santa Barbara to open Harwin’s Jewelry, a community mainstay for 63 years.

Harwin co-founded the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table; was active in the Lions Club and Elks; was named an honorary alumnus for his support of UCSB athletics; and was instrumental in bringing the Santa Barbara Dodgers minor league baseball team to Santa Barbara.

He passed away in 2012, just months after his 100th birthday. Elings Park’s main road is named Jerry Harwin Parkway in his honor.

For more, visit www.elingspark.org/bobcat.