Rose Park
SIZE	1.1 Acres
LOCATION	8620 Frye Creek Drive (southeast of), North of Anchor Bay Way, South of Deepdale Way (LAGUNA)
PARK FEATURES	Play Area Playground Equipment Picnic Area/Tables Benches
COMPLETED	2000
BIOGRAPHY	Merwin Rose's personal and professional contributions have left an indelible mark upon the Sacramento area for the last 50 years. Born in 1927 in the town of Selma, approximately 15 miles southeast of Fresno, Merwin was the youngest of four children born to Manual and Mary Rose. Merwin took an early interest in geology by studying soil formations on the family's 20 acre ranch. The family grew grapes and dried them to produce raisins. Merwin learned by experience that certain types of soil were more conducive to agricultural production. In college, his interest was directed to a more formalized study of geology and other sciences by mentor teachers. As a result, he graduated with degrees in Engineering Geology and Chemistry from Fresno State College in 1949. He also received a masters degree from Washington University in St. Louis some years later. Merwin met his wife Joan in 1948 on a blind date arranged by one of his sisters. The two were married on June 25, 1949. They relocated to Sacramento shortly after Merwin's graduation from college so that he could accept a position with the Army Corps of Engineers. The job required the couple to migrate to several places throughout the western United States. The birth of their first child, however, prompted the couple to seek out a more stable way of life. Merwin left the Corps and brought his family back to Sacramento in 1954. His family continued to grow. He and his wife Joan raised five children in all -- three sons and two daughters. Employment with a private engineering firm in North Sacramento spurred Merwin's professional life in a different direction. Through an agreement between his employer and the Superintendent of the Grant Unified School District, he taught math and science part-time at Del Paso Junior High School and later at Sacramento High School. At Sacramento High, he served as a director of the teacher's organization for four years. Additionally, his love for children and teaching inspired him to become a nighttime instructor at Sacramento City College and one of the original instructors and the founder of Cosumnes River College's (CRC) Geotech program. At CRC, Merwin was elected faculty senate president and served five years as a director of the Los Rios teacher's organization. In 1959, in the midst of his teaching career, Merwin started his own business -- Rose's Engineering Geology and Survey Inc. Merwin relocated his business from Sacramento to Elk Grove in 1984. He immediately joined the Elk Grove Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce and helped found the Old Town Merchants Association. His company donated services to construct the Project Ride facility and worked on the layout of the historic Elk Grove hotel. Examples of his work can also be seen in Elk Grove Regional Park where Merwin and his associates developed Rotary Grove, the Sand Volleyball Court, benches and restroom facilities. He also designed the parking lot to be constructed south of the historic hotel. In 1986, Merwin and his family moved to Elk Grove. He became more involved in the community through a series of leadership roles. Merwin served as a Chamber Director for six years. In the Rotary Club, he held the posts of Secretary (1992), President Elect (1993), and President (1994). He worked with others on the incorporation efforts in 1987, 1993 and most recently in 2000. Merwin's work with the Old Town Merchants Association also continues today - he was just re-elected as a Director and given a plaque proclaiming him the honorary mayor of Old Town. Merwin sold his engineering firm in 1999. He continues to work from his home and recently assumed the role of President of AQUACLEAR California, a company developing wastewater treatment systems.
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