Rutherford takes its name from Alexander Cameron Rutherford (1857-1941) who was the first premier of Alberta. Creating an extensive pedestrian network throughout the neighbourhood was an important design principle.
The utility corridor that diagonally runs the length of the neighbourhood provides an important pedestrian spine which connects the various walkways to activity nodes throughout the community. Virginia Park Woodland is dispersed to provide focal points throughout Rutherford and increase pedestrian connectivity. Prior to urban development Rutherford was a predominantly agricultural area with some country residential land use. Civic ward: Ipiihkoohkanipiaohtsi. District: Southwest. City boundary records effective 2002-09-26.