News & Media

Town unveils new neighbourhood park – Rutti Park

The Town of Ladysmith is pleased to officially dedicate a new community park in South Ladysmith in honour of the Rutti family and its longstanding historic ties to this area.

A ceremony and unveiling of the sign for Rutti Park was held on Thursday, July 28, 2022 and attended by Ladysmith Council, members of the Rutti family and many community members from the neighborhood.

Rutti Park is located just off Russell Road and features an open green space next to a unique rock formation as well as several fruit trees recently planted by the Town.  

The park sits on a section of the former farm established by Hugo Rutti over a century ago. The farm was in the family for five generations before it was purchased by the Town in 2003.

Hugo arrived in Ladysmith via the United States from Finland in 1910.   He found employment  as a farm labourer and in the Extension coal mines.

He purchased 10 acres of land from the Russell family to start his farm and later expanded it further. Records from the Ladysmith Archives mention that Hugo was well known for selling his farm produce from a horse-drawn wagon in town.

In 2020, community member Shelia Andreychuk applied to have the neighbourhood park officially named ‘Rutti Park.’

The park dedication was endorsed by Ladysmith Council with support from the Parks, Recreation & Culture Committee and the Ladysmith & District Historical Society.

In the new year the Town will launch a public engagement process, similar to Kinsmen Park, with the local community on potential amenity improvements for Rutti Park.  We look forward to hearing your feedback.

For the latest news and updates, visit the Town’s website at www.ladysmith.ca, as well as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also receive up-to-date information in your email inbox by subscribing to the Town’s newsletter. 

For Information:
Mike Gregory
Communications and Engagement Specialist
mgregory@ladysmith.ca | 250.210.1740