Creativity, play and access are at the core of planned upgrades that include a nature area, zip line and spray park for Rutledge in Saanich.
Commonly called pink elephant park, the five-acre park was last revamped in 2003, when Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association hosted a contest to name the pachyderm. Rutley will return in a plaza adjacent to the playground area that features a zip line, nature play space, play tower, open spaces, and both traditional and diverse swings accessible for a variety of ages and abilities.
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A new washroom and changeroom building with private universal and accessible spaces are anticipated to be open year-round. New paved pathways, park furniture such as benches, chairs and picnic tables and a drinking fountain/water bottle filling station would be added.
Saanich Parks and design consultants VDZ+A hosted an open house on May 31 to display information and receive feedback. Residents can still see the proposed upgrades and offer feedback by emailing parks@saanich.ca.
Funding includes $329,508 from Saanich, $535,342 from the province and $370,650 from the federal government.
The park at the end of Rutledge Street, bound by Cloverdale Avenue, Inverness Road, Glasgow Avenue and Scotia Street is among 172 parks in the expansive district. The splash pad will be the second – Beckwith Park Frog Pond is the other – in the district
Saanich hopes to finish construction by fall.
Find the full plan at saanich.ca.