Kinsmen Park

Description of the Historic Place

Kinsmen Park is a large centrally located 60 acre park in the neighbourhood of City Park.  Constructed in 1903, the park is located adjacent to the Mendel Building and Civic Conservatory and the South Saskatchewan River. The Park, located at 945 Spadina Crescent East, is bounded on the north by City Hospital and on the west by the Y.W.C.A. 

Heritage Value

Kinsmen Park is Saskatoon’s oldest park development. The park was an early home to the Saskatoon Fair and the horse race track. It was first established in 1903 as a park site called ‘City Park’. Over the years it has become a city-wide destination. In 1928, the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club built a $2000 playground and paddling pool in the park and in 1946, the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club spent $50,000 for beautification of the park grounds. Water lines were laid for portable aluminum irrigation pipes and grass seeded for hardball and softball diamonds and football grounds. The Saskatoon Kinsmen Club was also responsible for designing the layout of the picnic grounds with benches and tables.  As a result of their extensive work, City Park was renamed Kinsmen Park in 1947.

The Kinsmen amusement park was donated by the Saskatoon Kinsmen Club in the 1950s. Items originally included were a miniature train and a merry-go-round. The Ferris wheel was added in 1979 and by 1983 the official size of the park was 46 acres.

In December of 2011, Saskatoon City Council approved the Kinsmen Park and Area Master Plan in order to set forth a 25 year improvement process for the rejuvenation and redesign of the park. The primary vision of the Master Plan is to "create a place-specific, memorable environment that is enjoyable for all ages, with a special focus on children’s activities". In August of 2015, Phase One of the Kinsmen Park and Area Master Plan was completed, including the Nutrien Playland, which includes a new ferris wheel, train and a children’s play area. The park remains as a source of civic pride and is a great illustration of civic volunteerism.

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 and its association with Saskatoon Kinsmen Club, including its signage and location within the City Park neighbourhood.
• Those features that relate to its cultural significance, including the Hugh Cairns Memorial, the ferris wheel and train.