Rutley’s almost ready for closeups after a glow-up as part of upgrades to the Saanich park where it resides.
The much-photographed pink elephant in Rutledge Park completes a transformation from it’s old chipped-concrete pachyderm with a paint job by Saanich parks staff this week.
After a solid sandblast, a little concrete work and a pink primer applied Thursday (June 6), the elephant will get a couple more coats of paint and some details ahead of the grand re-opening later this month.
The bright creature has called Rutledge Park home since the 1960s. Said to be a cousin of fellow famed Saanich resident, the Cadborosaurus, the elephant was dubbed Rutley in 2003 by the winner of a Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association contest.
The pink elephant is the creation of an unsung artist in Saanich public works, first created as a garbage can in the 1960s and now a landmark to many in the Cloverdale Avenue Park.
Commonly called 'pink elephant park', upgrades to the five-acre space include a new playground 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. Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock and students from Cloverdale Traditional School are set to turn on the water for the new seasonal splash pad during the grand reopening June 24 at noon. The event will feature speeches from distinguished guests and a performance by the Lekwungen Dancers.
