Walnut Creek Celebrates Centennial And Installs the "Hand of Peace" in Civic Park

You cannot walk the Street of Walnut creek without seeing banners announcing the celebration of the City's Centennial.

On June 8th, Walnut Creek celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a picnic at Heather Farm Park.  The Centennial celebration will continue with a Art & Jazz event at the Ruth Bancroft Garden on July 11th from 5-8pm. Tickets for the Garden Tour with music by "Dogbone" are $15 in advance.  Call: 925-944-9352 for more info.

I  was glad to see that when I went to Civic Park last Friday  that the "Hand of Peace" Statue by Beniamino Bufano was finally installed.  The City had been preparing for its installation for May 15th, but it was a late arrival on June 23rd.  

This copper based artwork took 5 years to create and has colorful transparent finger nails which allows the sun to sparkle through them.  At its original acquisition there competing bids from organizations hoping to install it at the San Francisco Airport, as well as from Ghiradelli Square site supporters. It's original cost in 1967 was $50,000 and was originally part of the Quail Court Office Park and has been loaned to the City for the next 25 years by its current owners, the Chang family.

The "Hand of Peace" as seen in Civic Park.

The " Hand of Peace" as seen from the Walnut Creek Library.