Park Space
Status: Monitoring
Parks provide many environmental and social benefits. They provide habitat for trees and other plants, birds and other animals, and pollinators and other insects. Parks reduce stormwater run-off and store greenhouse gases. Plus, they include sports fields and other recreational spaces that contribute to the overall well-being, health, and enjoyment of Saskatoon residents and visitors.
The City's 2022-2025 Strategic Plan includes the following key actions within the Recreation, Culture and Leisure priority area:
- Develop asset management plans for key recreation infrastructure and equipment and incorporate green infrastructure and natural assets into existing asset management plans for parks.
- Develop more resilient design standards for parks to respond to higher density neighbourhoods, increased park usage and climate change.
Where are we now?
In recent decades Saskatoon has created several naturalized parks, which are more biodiverse, feature drought-resistant native plants and grasses, and require less maintenance, mowing, fertilizer, and irrigation. These parks include various ecosystem types, such as native prairie, wetlands, and aspen parkland. Naturalized parks now make up about 15 percent of the total park area in the city.
Park area in Saskatoon is increasing—overall and on a per-capita basis. Total park area has doubled since 1995, to 1,045 hectares in 2021.
Source: City of Saskatoon – Parks; and Planning and Development
Data Table
Area of Saskatoon Parks
| 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park area per person (square meters per capita) | 22.2 | 24.5 | 25.1 | 25.3 | 26.6 | 26.9 | 27.5 | 27.8 | 28.9 | 30.4 | 31.5 | 33.4 | 34.3 | 34.4 | 34.4 | 35.4 | 35.6 | 36.3 | 36.6 | 36.0 | 36.0 | 37.3 | 37.0 | 38.4 | 39.7 | 39.6 | 38.6 | 38.0 | 38.4 | 37.9 | 37.3 | 37.0 |
Source: City of Saskatoon – Parks; and Planning and Development
What Are We Doing?
Green Infrastructure Strategy
The Green Infrastructure Strategy was received by City Council in 2020 and lays out a vision for a green network that provides sustainable habitat for people and nature. The holistic green network considers natural, enhanced, and engineered green infrastructure, which as a system provides far more effective services when considered together than when apart. Nature-based solutions help Saskatoon sequester carbon and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Naturalization Program for Parks
The City is developing naturalized parks with a goal of diversifying and enhancing the landscape, increasing biodiversity, and providing an urban refuge for various plants, animals, and insects. Naturalized parks require less irrigation and maintenance. They feature native plants and grasses, diverse natural ecosystems, and natural wetlands. They also feature walking trails and provide opportunities for education and connections with nature.
What Can You Do?
Visit Saskatoon’s many parks and recreation facilities.
Become a Master Naturalist. The Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan and the City of Saskatoon have partnered to provide training to volunteers to enhance their capacities to work on conservation projects.
Look for volunteer opportunities that support and enhance our natural environment.
Did You Know
Diefenbaker Park is #10 on the 'Top 10 Nature Watching Sites' in Saskatoon - check out the rest of the list in Saskatoon's Green Infastructure Strategy: Towards an Interconnected Green Network.