Public engagement on Boulevard Gardening revealed a very high interest in boulevard gardening and expanding the Program to other locations. The survey findings showed that most participants (97%) agreed that the City should allow residents to garden on boulevards. Also, most respondents (86%) supported the program being expanded to other types of City green spaces, such as centre medians. 

The front boulevard is the area between the sidewalk and the street curb that is typically planted with grass and street trees. A side boulevard is located at the side of a corner property and does not necessarily have a sidewalk.  Boulevards are City of Saskatoon (the City) property, not private property.

The City has permitted residents to garden on boulevards since 2015 through the Boulevard Gardening Guidelines. The current program applies to separate boulevards, which are City-owned spaces between the sidewalk and street curb

Saskatoon residents may enter into an agreement with the City to garden on the front and side City-owned boulevards adjacent to their home. A boulevard garden can include non-woody plants such as perennial and annual flowers, herbs, and vegetables. For trees and shrubs, only those planted by the City are permitted. Boulevard gardens may include temporary structures that can be moved by one person, such as potted plants and birdbaths.

The project outcomes for the review of the Boulevard Gardening Maintenance Guidelines include:

• Updating the Guidelines for bylaw and policy requirements and acceptable gardening practices;
• Aligning the Guidelines with goals from other City strategies like the Green Infrastructure Strategy and Boulevard and Median Asset Management Strategy;
• Updating other City documents as needed;
• Identifying and addressing barriers to participating in boulevard gardening; and
• Developing educational materials about boulevard gardening.