What We Are Asking

The City of Saskatoon (City) is working on a strategy to improve our parks green spaces, specifically turf and sports field conditions. Weed growth is increasing in parks and green spaces across Saskatoon, particularly in newer neighbourhoods. Therefore, the City is piloting various treatments (i.e., applying one round of herbicide, as well as adding topsoil, grass seed and fertilizer) in Prairie Lily Park to determine the effectiveness and cost implications.

This summer we are engaging the community on their support for the use of these treatments in public parks and green spaces. Engagement feedback, along with best practice research and internal City considerations, will be provided to City Council in Fall 2025.

How You Can Get Involved

If you are a community member that lives in Saskatoon we want to hear your thoughts on weed management in public parks and green spaces! Please visit this page for future engagement opportunities or use the following methods to reach out to the project team:

Why We Are Doing This Work

The City of Saskatoon (City) is committed to using the least toxic control methods (i.e., chemical, biological, cultural and mechanical) wherever possible to manage weeds in parks and green spaces. However, parks and green spaces in Saskatoon, especially in newer neighbourhoods, have more weeds and are generating more complaints from residents. Although the Parks Department actively maintains the condition of public parks to make them more resistant to weeds which reduces the need for herbicides, additional treatment measures could help to limit the spread and growth of weeds.

In May 2025, City Council directed City Administration to conduct a pilot study in the northern portion of Prairie Lily Park in Brighton. This Weed Management Pilot Project will be used to determine the effectiveness and cost implications of a formal weed management program.

What will the pilot include?

The pilot project will take place in Prairie Lily Park during the summer of 2025 (see image below). One round of weed herbicide will be applied, followed by multiple courses of treatment including aerating, adding topsoil and grass seed, and fertilizing. During herbicide application, signage will be in place to notify the public before and during the application.

Managing weeds typically involves several approaches, including chemical, biological, cultural and mechanical controls. Weed control options can be selective (i.e., targeting certain types of plants) or non-selective (i.e., usually killing all plants). The pilot project will be using a selective herbicide to reduce the number of broadleaf weeds in turf within Prairie Lily Park.

For effective reduction of weeds, treatments over more than one season are required, with additional reductions in weeds occurring each year. For the purposes of this pilot, results from the first season will be used as the basis to report back on the effectiveness of this approach which will improve decision making for future weed management.