Tribute to Manning: New Sculpture
Sept. 14, 2009: As a tribute to Harvey Manning – a lifelong environmental advocate who was instrumental in the preservation of the Issaquah Alps – the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, in collaboration with the Issaquah Arts Commission, City of Issaquah and many other contributors, recently installed a bronze sculpture of Manning near the Issaquah Trails Center.
A formal unveiling and dedication ceremony of the sculpture will be held at 2 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Trails Center, 110 S.E. Bush St.
“The right person at the right time: that’s the inspirational story behind our beloved Issaquah Alps,” Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger said earlier this year, when Manning was honored posthumously with the City’s 2009 Ruth Kees Award for a Sustainable Community.
Manning’s work was a catalyst for the preservation of many forested areas that surround Issaquah today. The writer was well known for sending letters to key stakeholders and policymakers to spark action.
In addition, Manning reached countless readers and hikers through a collection of books and guides on Northwest trails and environmental preservation, including the “100 Hikes” series and “Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills.”
Manning’s efforts to preserve open space continue on today, including within the City’s limits: Issaquah currently owns more than 1,300 acres of protected natural areas.
In 2006, Issaquah voters also showed their support for preservation by approving a Park and Natural Area Bond, which included $3.5 million for the acquisition of creek-side and natural areas.
To honor Manning – who passed away in November 2006 at the age of 81 – the Issaquah Alps Club commissioned Lateral Line Gallery and Studio to create a statue of him. The studio, owned by Sara Mall Johani and Tom Jay, also created the Coho statues that are located in front of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery.
For more information on the artists, click here. For more information on the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, click here.
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