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City celebrates Parks & Recreation Month in June
June 3, 2021 - 11:00am
June is Parks and Recreation Month in Saskatchewan – it’s a time to recognize how parks and recreational opportunities make Saskatoon a great place to live, work, and play.
“Our park space and recreational facilities, attractions and program opportunities enhance our quality of life in Saskatoon,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development. “It’s timely to celebrate Parks and Recreation month. As provincial restrictions lift, our City can begin offering more opportunities for residents to enjoy.”
“Parks and Recreation month marks a time to celebrate the opportunities our seasonal facilities provide to citizens and visitors to the city”, says Roberts. Many are now in full swing including the City’s municipal golf courses, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park, skateboard sites, tennis and pickleball courts, spray pads and Gordon Howe Campground. Outdoor Pools begin opening next week and Play Programs and Youth Centres will follow at the beginning of July.
“Let’s not forget to recognize the importance of our indoor Leisure Centres and arenas. Rain or shine, they provide a place to get out and stay active all year long,” Roberts adds.
The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), along with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) and other Provincial/Territorial Parks and Recreation Associations across Canada, celebrates the month of June as Parks and Recreation Month.
The month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of parks and recreation and the role it plays in the quality of life for all Canadians. To find out more, visit spra.sk.ca.
For more information on parks and recreation opportunities in Saskatoon, visit saskatoon.ca/recreation.
Residential speed limit public engagement and research findings
June 2, 2021 - 11:03am
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The majority (65%) of open survey respondents prefer the speed limit to stay the same on all streets, whereas about half (52%) of third-party survey respondents prefer a speed limit lower than 50 km/h on local streets.
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The majority of both respondent groups prefer no change to speed limits for collector and arterial streets.
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The majority of third third-party survey respondents and about a third of open survey respondents are concerned or very concerned about the speed of the vehicles in their neighbourhoods.
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Of those who support a speed reduction on local streets, 40 km/h is the more preferred speed compared to 30 km/h.
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37% of collisions occurred on streets with adjacent residential land uses.
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37% of collision resulting in fatalities and 35% of collisions resulting in severe injuries occurred on streets with adjacent residential land uses.
The speed limits on residential streets are under review in Saskatoon, following comments from residents concerned about safety during neighbourhood traffic reviews throughout the city. Results from this spring’s surveys will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on June 7 along with collision statistics and current speed limits in other Canadian cities.
In March, the Committee received the project roadmap for the speed limit review for residential areas. The roadmap outlined the action items, the engagement plan, and the project schedule for completing the review. The review includes assessing lowering the speed limit in residential areas from 50 km/h to 40 km/h or 30 km/h, changes to the speed limit in school zones, and consideration of establishing playground zones, and zones for areas with a high number of seniors. The scope of the review includes streets with residences on them.
Public Engagement
14,970 people participated in the City’s online survey, which was open to all residents; with another 414 people invited to complete a third-party telephone or online survey striving for representation of people from all age groups and areas of the city.
Collision Statistics
Between 2015 and 2019, there have been a total of 38,049 collisions, resulting in 27 deaths, and 217 severe injuries in motor vehicle collisions on city streets:
No recommendations will be presented on June 7, and no decisions of City Council are requested at this stage. The Administration is planning to present a report with recommendations on residential speed limits to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation in August.
View the full report and attachments as part of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation June 7, 2021 Agenda item 7.1.6.
City plans to advance green infrastructure in Saskatoon
June 1, 2022 - 10:14am
- Healthy and Thriving Natural Areas
- Connecting and Regenerating Green Spaces
- Leading by Example for an Integrated Green Network
- Growing Community for a Livable City
- Food Security from Seed to Table to Soil
The City wants to protect its green network with a distinct set of actions and initiatives over 10 years.
“The green network encompasses Saskatoon’s collection of green infrastructure including parks, natural areas, the urban forest and other spaces,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “The network is under increasing pressure to provide high quality green space to all residents as Saskatoon grows, while reducing the emerging threats of climate change and biodiversity loss.”
Pathways for an Integrated Green Network (Green Pathways) is a 10-year implementation plan for the Green Infrastructure Strategy: Towards an Interconnected Green Network (Strategy), which was received by City Council at its meeting on February 24, 2020. The implementation plan was also identified as a priority in the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan.
In Green Pathways, the City plans to advance the network through a series of interconnected initiatives. The planned actions will work to restore the urban environment and ecosystems, support climate action and nature-based solutions, and improve quality of life for residents and visitors.
“Green Pathways provides an actionable structure to progress the green network vision through five “pathways” grouped thematically, which define actions and phased initiatives over the next 10 years,” South says.
Within each of the five pathways, actions and initiatives define partners, timelines and success measures through a phased approach that aligns with the City’s multi-year budgeting:
Development of Green Pathways occurred in 2020-2022 through researching best practices and hosting a series of workshops with City stakeholders and engagement with the public and development community.
“From June 2021 to February 2022 we engaged the community specifically on the implementation plan,” says South. “Over 80 per cent strongly support all the proposed initiatives and the City taking on this work, and for the initiatives to be implemented as soon as possible to protect Saskatoon’s green network.”
Green Pathways will be presented to the City’s Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services Committee on Monday. The Pathways for an Integrated Green Network: an Implementation Plan for the Green Infrastructure Strategy report includes initiatives that have been funded to proceed in 2022-2023, and outlines medium to long term initiatives that seek resourcing and approvals in the future.
Indigenous History Month a time to honour past and present
June 1, 2021 - 7:42am
Today marks the first day of National Indigenous History Month; a time to honour the history, heritage, and diversity of Indigenous people as well as to recognize the strength of present-day Indigenous people and their communities. The month arrives at a time when so many are dealing with the shock, anger, and sadness over the recent discovery at a former residential school in Kamloops.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada says that, in order to establish and maintain a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, “there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”
A number of events will be held this month in Saskatoon that will provide residents with this opportunity for learning, reflection, and demonstrating their support for Reconciliation. A calendar of some of these events can be found at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous. The Reconciliation Saskatoon flag has also been raised in Civic Square (behind City Hall; 23rd Street, between 3rd and 4th avenues), where it will remain on display until June 4th.
Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark says: “Saskatoon is in an important time of reckoning with Truth and Reconciliation. I am very grateful to the Elders and Survivors who have provided such patient leadership and guidance to our city and the many organizations and businesses who are walking this path. I am also grateful for all of the community leaders who have stepped forward with humility, to be part of the change to a healthier and more equitable Treaty relationship. This is a time to move from words to action – as a city, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our neighbourhoods. We all have a part to play.”
Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Tribal Chief, Mark Arcand says: “As a First Nations organization serving many members in Saskatoon, we have been very pleased with the outcomes and results of past and current initiatives with the City of Saskatoon. Most notable in recent years, the City of Saskatoon has acknowledged the work of Elders and planning committees with the Reconciliation Flag Raising as an event that will continue to leave a lasting impression as a result of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action.”
President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI), Shirley Isbister says: “Indigenous History Month provides the opportunity for everyone to learn about, share, and celebrate Indigenous cultures. We are peoples with varying cultures, customs, and languages. We are all a part of a shared history with common goals and aspirations.”
The City of Saskatoon co-chairs Reconciliation Saskatoon. Reconciliation Saskatoon is a community of over 115 organizations, non-profits, businesses, and partners who have come together towards one mission: to initiate a citywide conversation about Reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Learn more about Reconciliation Saskatoon.

Reconciliation Saskatoon flag raising ceremony held May 28th, 2021 in Civic Square
City celebrates Parks & Recreation Month in June
June 1, 2022 - 10:30am
June is Parks and Recreation Month in Saskatchewan. The initiative is a reminder of the of the many opportunities parks and recreation bring to our community.
“The City of Saskatoon is proud to provide top-quality recreational facilities, attractions and leisure program opportunities that make the city a great place to live, work and play,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development.
“Saskatoon parks connect citizens to nature and improve their quality of life with amenities such as sport fields, ski trails, walking trails and picnic tables”, says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “We are committed to maintaining the vitality of Saskatoon’s park space”, Crilly adds. This involves planning and designing parks for new neighbourhoods, as well as providing necessary maintenance services and refurbishment of park amenities throughout the City.
“This month is a time to show appreciation for recreation and park maintenance workers, administrators and volunteers who contribute to the diverse quality of life available to residents and visitors,” says Roberts.
The City’s golf courses, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park, skateboard sites, tennis and pickleball courts, spray pads and Gordon Howe Campground have recently opened for the season. Outdoor Pools begin opening next week and Play Programs and Youth Centres will follow at the beginning of July.
The indoor Leisure Centres operate year-round and provide a place to get out and get active not matter the weather.
The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), along with the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) and other Provincial/Territorial Parks and Recreation Associations across Canada, celebrates the month of June as Parks and Recreation Month.
The month provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of parks and recreation and the role it plays in the quality of life for all Canadians. To find out more, visit spra.sk.ca.
For more information on parks and recreation opportunities in Saskatoon, visit saskatoon.ca/recreation.