Rose, Harrison honored by Walnut Creek
By Dennis Hill
Published in News on October 14, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/DENNIS HILL
Walnut Creek Mayor Darrell Horne, left, is shown with Conway Rose following a ceremony Sunday during which the village's park was dedicated to Rose, one of the village's founders.
The Village of Walnut Creek honored one of its founders and one of its longtime officials at a ceremony Sunday.
Conway Rose, who was one of the original founders of the village, and the late Tom Harrison, who was its ranger and administrator for many years, were recognized for their efforts at a gathering of village officials and residents at the village's town hall.
The village park was designated the Conway Rose Park and the dam over Lake Wackena was designated the Tom Harrison Dam.
Village Mayor Darrell Horne called Rose a visionary, who along with three other men -- Bob Thompson, Rance Garris and James Uzzell -- came up with the idea of an upscale residential neighborhood with amenities such as an 18-hole golf course, two lakes, an airport and a hotel.
Although the latter two projects never came to be, Horne said, "Who's to say the hotel and airport aren't still coming?"
Rose was accompanied by his wife, Lou. Harrison's widow, Dianne, accepted the honor on his behalf.
Rose and his cohorts came up with the plan for the village in the 1960s. Walnut Creek was incorporated in 1975.
"Conway's contributions go far beyond what you see around you. He touched the lives of so many people in so many ways, it was hard to narrow our focus down to one area," Horne said. "But when the Parks and Recreation Committee began work on establishing a true park for our residents, it became obvious this is where we want the name of Conway Rose to be displayed."
Horne called Harrison "a fixture" at the village and said he was known for years as the man to turn to in almost any situation.
"He had so many certifications on so many things, you could probably wallpaper a room," Horne said. "He left his thumbprint on everything and everyone he came into contact with in the village."