Spadina Crescent Bridge

Description of the Historic Place

The Spadina Crescent Bridge is a concrete arch bridge that spans a ravine in the neighbourhood of City Park along Spadina Crescent East. Constructed in 1930, the Spadina Crescent Bridge was built to replace an earlier wooden structure.

Heritage Value

The Spadina Crescent Bridge features a single span concrete arch bridge with simple geometric lines reminiscent of the nearby University Bridge. With the Depression beginning to take hold of Saskatoon in 1930, the City of Saskatoon did not have the money to pay for replacement of the existing wooden bridge. In the end, the money to construct the new concrete bridge had to be raised by debenture in the sum of $6,000.

In 1933, a series of small ponds were dug in the ravine as part of a relief work project aimed at beautifying ‘Central Park’ (called Mendel Park today). The system of ponds was extended in the 1950s, and along with the charming little bridge, created an “oasis of calm and beauty” in the heart of the city. The pond system has since been filled in.

Today, the Spadina Crescent Bridge, being one of the smaller bridges in the City, remains unknown to most people yet thousands of cars pass over it daily.  The bridge adds both character and visual appeal to the neighbourhood of City Park.

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 bridge's historic value including its original location, materials, and simple geometric arch.