Recreational Use of Stormwater Ponds
The City’s storm water ponds may be used for recreational purposes. Certain restrictions and conditions are in place to ensure that health and safety issues are properly addressed. All users of the ponds, whether during the summer or winter, do so at their own risk.
What is a storm water retention pond?
A storm water retention pond is an engineered artificial body of water. Its primary function is to protect residential property from flooding by storing peak storm water flow and street run-off and releasing it into the storm sewer collection system in a controlled manner. These ponds are an important part of the City’s storm water management system.
What recreational activities are permitted on the ponds?
Activities such as skating, broomball and hockey are permitted during the winter months. Summer use is restricted to non-motorized boating, (i.e., paddle boats and canoes). Swimming is not recommended. If one intends to use the ponds for activities such as winter carnivals or summer events, a Special Event Permit is required.
Vehicles are not permitted in parks or around ponds. Users will be held responsible for any damage to pathways, turf, shrubs or trees when accessing ponds in summer or winter.
The City may for any purpose close the pond for any use for any length of time.
What must I know about summer use?
For public safety, any activity that may result in direct contact with the water is not recommended and the City makes no representation on the quality of the water within the storm water retention ponds. Non-motorized watercrafts such as canoes, kayaks, or paddle boats are permitted.
For safety and security purposes, users are expected to remove all belongings from stormwater ponds after use. Storage of boats, kayaks, or other watercraft along the perimeter of stormwater ponds is not permitted.
What must I know about winter use?
Anyone who skates on ponds needs to consider the ice safety and thickness.
On ponds designated for winter use, ice thickness is measured by the Saskatoon Fire Department until an ice thickness of 8 inches is reached. At that time, "No Skating" symbol on site signs will be replaced with a "Skating Permitted".
Vehicles are not permitted on the ice. Small, push-model snow blowers are allowed. Users assume all risk and maintenance responsibilities for the ice, (i.e., flooding, shoveling, safety, etc).
These ponds are currently designated for Recreational Use :
(Ice thickness testing will take place before winter use is permitted - watch for the signage to be changed on site)
- Briarwood Pond (Briarwood neighborhood)
- Bev Dyck Pond (Kensington neighborhood)
- Brighton Large Pond (Brighton neighborhood)
- Brighton Small Pond (Brighton neighborhood)
- George H Clare Pond (Kensington neighborhood)
- Dundonald Pond (Dundonald neighborhood)
- John Avant Pond (Erindale neighborhood)
- Lakeview Pond (Lakeview neighborhood)
- Marshall Hawthorne Pond (Stonebridge)
- Parkridge Extension Pond (Blairmore Suburban Centre)
- Trounce Pond (Lakeview Suburban Centre)
Please note: All other storm ponds within city limits that are not listed above do not permit winter recreational use under any circumstances. Non-recreational ponds are considered high risk due to continual water flow which creates open water areas, resulting in unpredictable ice thickness throughout the entire pond. Even though ice may appear to be safe, it is not. Public choosing to use storm ponds for recreational use, do so at their own risk.
Naturalized Ponds
Due to the high use of naturalized parks as nesting habitats for wildlife, recreational use of naturalized ponds is not permitted:
- Hyde Park Ponds (Lakewood Suburban Centre)
- Donna Birkmaier Ponds (Briarwood neighborhood)
- Wildwood Pond (Lakewood Suburban Centre)
- Evergreen Ponds (North East Swale)
- Elk Point East Wetlands (Elk Point Development Area)