| Forestry Farm Park and Zoo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Municipal |
| Location | 1903 Forestry Farm Park Drive Saskatoon, SK, CA S7S 1G9 |
| Created | 1966 |
| Operated by | City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Zoo Society and Saskatchewan Perennial Society |
| Open | All year |
| Official name | Forestry Farm Park and Zoo National Historic Site of Canada |
| Designated | 1990 |
The Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is a forested park and zoo located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The park was originally established as the Dominion Forest Nursery Station [1] and later Sutherland Forest Nursery Station. Between 1913 and 1966 was responsible for growing and shipping 147 million trees shipped across the northern prairie provinces. [2] The first shipment of trees were sent to farmers in 1916. The park is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. [3] The nursery grew caragana, ash, maple, elm, and willow. After the nursery closed in 1966 a portion was re-opened as a city park.
Contents
The park contains the following areas:
- Forestry Farm House (The Superintendent's Residence) – is a historical farm house of a Georgian brink design built in 1913 located within the park. [4] The building was officially designated a heritage property on July 3, 1990. [5] It accommodates up to 40 people.
- Hall – With a capacity of 225 people
- Gazebo Picnic Site – With seating for up to 100 people
- Fishing Pond – A Pond stocked with Rainbow Trout (daily permit required)
- Paws Inn Concession and Gift Shop – A Concession Stand and Gift Shop operated by the Zoo Society [6]
- McDonald's Natural Place to Play Playground – An accessible nature-themed playground [7]
- Ball Diamond and Cricket Pitch – Available for group rentals and pick-up games [8]
- Robin Smith Meditation Garden – Cared for by the Perennial Society [9]
- Heritage Rose Garden – Cared for by the Perennial Society [10]
- Zoo – The zoo facilities
- Demonstration Forest – Original demonstration forest once part of the nursery.
Developed long before any major residential development in the region, since the 1990s the park has been virtually surrounded by Saskatoon's urban sprawl, casting the Forestry Farm, along with several contiguous linear parks, in an additional role as part of the region's greenbelt.
The park is home to the Enchanted Forest Holiday Light Display each winter, a light display raising funds for the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation and the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. The annual event began in 1999. [11]
