The Village of

RUTLANDOHIO

Tyler M. Eblin, Mayor

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION

Welcome

The Village of Rutland Department of Parks and Recreation is a department of volunteers which exercise jurisdiction over Village parks and recreational facilities, programs and services, as well as community beautification. The Department consists of the Director of Parks and Recreation and parks and recreational assistants, who fulfill their duties on a voluntary basis.

The Department works with the Department of Public Service with overseeing and ensuring the care and maintenance of the James Vennari Memorial Park, Sammy Robinson Field, and the Rutland Civic Center. The Department additionally organizes and implements recreational events, programs, services and beautification projects.

Interested in becoming a parks and recreation volunteer? Click the volunteer form provided to get started! We appreciate your interest and look forward to working with you!

Contact

Denise LambertDirector of Parks and Recreation
Rutland Civic Center-Village Hall337 Main Street, Suite 100Rutland, Ohio 45775Telephone: (740) 742 2121 Ext. 1007📧 Send an e-Mail

James Vennari Memorial Park

For over a decade, the Jim Vennari Park has promoted the quality of life in the Village of Rutland. Made possible through a donation from Martha Ohlinger Vennari in honor of her late husband, James "Jim" Vennari, the Jim Vennari Park offers a time of enjoyment and recreation for families and children of all ages. 

The park supplements other municipal parks situated in the community, including the Rutland Firemen's Park and the Sammy "Red" Robinson Field. General maintenance of the Park is overseen by the Village Street Commissioner and provided by the Village Service Department.

Park Facilities

The Jim Vennari Park provides an array of playground equipment for children of all ages to enjoy. Situated on park grounds includes:

Accommodations for family gatherings include:

The park grounds are complimented with beautiful plants and trees providing optional shade for those gathering for enjoyment or recreation.

Park Rules and Regulations

To provide for an enjoyable and safe recreational environment at the Jim Vennari Park, the following useful information, guidelines, rules and regulations are provided. Additionally, such are posted conspicuously on Park grounds. We ask that such be strictly adhered to and followed; and remind those utilizing the Park will be held responsible for their actions.

Rutland Civic Center

The Rutland Civic Center was erected in 1955 and originally opened as an annex to Rutland High School. Following the closure of Rutland High School in 1968, the Meigs Local Board of Education continued to utilize the building for school district functions, including basketball games, theatrical programs, and vocational mining courses. In 1974, the band room was renovated and converted to house the station for Rutland Emergency Medical Services. In 1982, the Village of Rutland acquired the building and subsequently converted rooms into government offices. Today, the Rutland Civic Center continues to serve the Village of Rutland as a vital community facility. The building houses the Village of Rutland municipal government and serves as a community building for social gatherings.

To learn more about the Rutland Civic Center and to reserve a space for your event, click here.

Sammy "Red" Robinson Fields

The Sammy "Red" Robinson Fields are three beautifully maintained baseball fields for use by the general public. With the current suspension of the Rutland Youth League, reservations of any of the three baseball fields for practices and games will require a reservation certificate from the Mayor's Office. Otherwise, use of the fields are allowed on a first come, first serve basis.

The Vennari Legacy

The James H. "Jim" Vennari Park earned its name from the Rutland Village Council as a result of dedication and professionalism to the Rutland community exhibited by the late James H. Vennari, a beloved administrator, coach and educator of Rutland High School.

Born October 24, 1907 in Lumberport, West Virginia, Mr. Vennari began his adulthood by serving his country during World War II as a foreign war veteran achieving the rank of master sergeant. At the same time, Mr. Vennari was working with the Pittsburg Pirates as a professional baseball scout. While traveling, Mr. Vennari located a "coach wanted" sign for Rutland High School. The Western Local Board of Education accepted the Superintendent's recommendation on the employment of Mr. Vennari and he would coach all contact sports for Rutland High School for the next 15 years. Not only this, Mr. Vennari would serve as principal of the High School as well as an educator of pupils who attended there.

During his tenure at Rutland High School as coach, his success earned him a record of 11 winning seasons and seven championships in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League (SEOAL). Mr. Vennari was named Coach of the Year in Ohio in 1959. Mr. Vennari would later become principal of Rutland Elementary School for seven years following the Meigs Local consolidation that closed Rutland High School. In 1968, Mr. Vennari married his wife Martha Ohlinger Vennari and later scouted for the Cincinnati Reds until his retirement in 1995.

Mr. Vennari is a graduate of Salem International University of Salem, West Virginia, where he played football and earned his bachelor's degree in education. Later, Mr. Vennari would obtain his master's degree in education from West Virginia University.

A member of American Legion-Drew Webster Post 39, Meigs County Historical Society, Meigs County Retired Teachers Association, Ohio Retired Teachers Association, and the National Education Association, Mr. Vennari was honored as as Kentucky Colonel.

Mr. Vennari passed away at the age of 100 years at Overbrook Rehabilitation Center in Middleport, Ohio. He is interred with his late wife at Middleport Riverview Cemetery.

Mr. James H. Vennari