Mr. Russell was in the forefront of development of Parks and Recreation facilities within several communities in BC.

Called by some “the father of municipal recreation in BC”, he is credited with presenting the first comprehensive Parks and Recreation Plan in Canada to New Westminster (1956), and with building Canada’s first municipally owned and operated senior citizens’ centre (Century House, New Westminster (1958)), the first multi-purpose recreation centre in BC in Port Alberni (1967), and the internationally admired Oak Bay Recreation Centre (1975).

The response to the “Towards a Better Age” provincial task force on senior citizens, in which he played a major part, was overwhelmingly positive (1989).

Dunc Russell has received municipal, provincial, national and international recognition for his work.