Our Friend Harvey
OUR FRIEND HARVEY
By Randy Revelle
(Note: After IATC founder Harvey Manning passed away on Nov. 12, 2006, the club printed a 16-page special edition on Harvey. This, one of many tributes, is by Randy Revelle, who was King County Executive from 1981 to 1985.)
Harvey Manning is one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever met. I will miss him very much. I first met Harvey in 1981, during my successful campaign for King County Executive. Thanks largely to his gift of persuasion, he convinced me to make Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park one of my top priorities.
In September 1981, during my campaign, Harvey and I held a news conference in the fog atop Anti-Aircraft Peak to proclaim that Cougar Mountain Park was at the top of my priority list. More coyotes than people attended the conference.
On June 5, 1983, I was thrilled to sign the Newcastle Ordinance approving the Newcastle Community Plan and officially creating a 2,750 acre Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. We also celebrated the first “Return to Newcastle” sponsored by the Issaquah Alps Trails Club.
On May 21, 1985, standing atop Anti-Aircraft Peak, we formally dedicated the Cougar Mountain Park and officially proclaimed “Harvey Manning Day” throughout King County. Many more people than coyotes attended the dedication.
Through the tireless efforts of many people, especially Harvey Manning, Cougar Mountain Park has become a priceless urban wildland for the people of King County. Harvey was the most dedicated, visionary, courageous, and cantankerous advocate I have ever known. Without him, there would be no Cougar Mountain Park.
In some ways, Harvey was a very private man. So Larry Phillips, chairman of the King County Council, and I felt honored and privileged when Harvey agreed to meet with us at his home some months ago. We spent a fascinating three hours reminiscing about the creation of Cougar Mountain Park and the history of his beloved Issaquah Alps Trails Club. We especially enjoyed Harvey’s sarcastic sense of humor and environmental zeal and wisdom. He was a fascinating man who left a valuable legacy of parks, trails, forests, and wildlife.
Harvey never stopped fighting for his environment causes. The day before Harvey died, Larry Phillips received a letter from him—typed as usual in his unique witty and rambling style on an old typewriter—advocating additional land purchases for Cougar Mountain Park!