Fred Mitchell Memorial Garden

Description of the Historic Place

The Fred Mitchell Memorial Garden (formerly known as the Labatt’s Garden) is a 0.8 acre picturesque pocket park/garden located in old Nutana (now the neighbourhood of Buena Vista). It is situated across from the old Labatt’s Brewery at 410 Saskatchewan Crescent West. Built in 1962, the park includes a bronze statue of Fred Mitchell.

Heritage Value

The Fred Mitchell Memorial Garden represents one of the best examples of early commercial landscaping in Saskatoon. The park was initially commissioned by Labatt’s Breweries in order to enhance their corporate image. The park, and most of its formal walls and original plantings, were designed and built by Marv Henderson in 1962 shortly after Labatt’s acquired the site and brewery from the Saskatoon Brewing Company (formerly the Hoeschen and Wentzler Brewing Company Ltd.). Henderson, who was one of the few landscape contractors in the city at the time, had no formal design training and did not attempt to emulate any particular style or example.  The pattern of the park was his response to the triangular shape of the site, its topography, and the placement of the existing trees around the perimeter of the property. The formal park features of the park included a long, curving retaining wall, a set of fountain ponds, and numerous beds of flowers. The selection and application of some of the park’s original materials was an expression of Mr. Henderson’s enthusiasm and the desire to do something unique with common materials of the day.  The broken brick finish on the fountain for example, and the staggered block layouts of the curving retaining walls are both unique features. 

Over time, the flower beds were replaced by new shrub beds and by the gradual spread of junipers, cedars, and smaller fruit and lilac bushes.  Extensive tree canopy growth has shaded out many of the original plants. With the closure and demolition of the Labatt’s Brewery in 1993, the park became increasingly overgrown and derelict.  The park however was part of a $20,000 restoration project in 1994, which included the refurbishing of its fountains, new signage and the establishment of connections to underground power and water supplies.

The park was purchased by Mitchell Gourmet Foods and renamed from the Labatt’s Garden to the Fred Mitchell Memorial Garden.  Fred Mitchell was the grandson of Fred Mendel, a local industrialist who once operated the very successful meat-packing operation – Intercontinental Packers, the predecessor company of Mitchell Gourmet Foods. Mendel was also instrumental in establishing the city’s Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory.  Mitchell became the fifth generation to preside over the family company, and under his leadership Intercontinental Packers grew into one of the largest value-added pork processors in Canada. In 1998, Intercontinental Packers was renamed Mitchell’s Gourmet Foods. In memory of Fred Mitchell, a life-size statue of him was erected in the Fred Mitchell Memorial Park in 2000. In 2002, Mitchell Gourmet Foods was sold to the Schneider Corporation, and in 2008 the City purchased the Fred Mitchell Memorial Garden.

In the years following the development of the Fred Mitchell Memorial Garden there was a change in public expectation and regulations regarding the landscaping and aesthetics of commercial and industrial sites. Although no longer associated with any commercial enterprise, the site’s beauty continues to be a local neighbourhood attraction for picnics, and a favourite backdrop for budding photographers.  

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to the park’s historical significance as a representation of commercial landscaping, evident in: its retaining wall, fountain structure, stepping blocks, and its natural vegetation;
• Those features that relate to the park’s commercial history, including its location adjacent to the original Labatt’s Breweries site and the Fred Mitchell Statue.