Three Leduc parks named in honour of community builders

Three City of Leduc parks have been named in honour of local community builders. 

Saito Park: the municipal reserve green space in Southfork is being named for Dr. Roy Saito, a former City of Leduc Alderman who was influential in both the Leduc and Edmonton regions. Dr. Saito opened Leduc's first full-time veterinary clinic and was a veterinarian at the Storyland Zoo (now the Edmonton Valley Zoo). 

Ward Park: the municipal reserve green space in Woodbend is being named for the Ward family. Dixon and Margaret Ward taught in Leduc schools for more than 30 years, and the family has mademany community contributions both professional and athletic. 

Robert Dittrich Park: the municipal reserve green space in Meadowview (an extension of the existing municipal green space) is being named for Robert Dittrich, who immigrated to Leduc with his wife in 1894. He owned the fourth established business in Leduc (a shoe store), and their homestead was where the Tribute community and the park space are now situated. 

"Whether through public service, education, recreation or business, the legacies of these individuals live on in the welcoming, thriving Leduc that we know today," says City of Leduc Maor Bob Young. "Naming municipal parks in their honour is one way in which we can recognize their outstanding community contributions."

The names, approved at the Jan. 22 Leduc City Council meeting, were selected and put forward for consideration by Leduc's Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Board (PRC Board). 

The naming of parks is guided by the City of Leduc's Naming Policy and typically reflects noteworthy persons that are deceased, or former councillors or mayors no sooner than one year after their term. The PRC Board recommended these names as all four individuals have made positive and significant contributions to Leduc. 

Signage will be installed at the parks to recognize the new names and park history.