Call to Action
National Urban Park Boundaries
URGENT Action Required!
Saskatoon City Council will once again be voting on the proposed National Urban Park boundaries on March 25. These boundaries include newly revised lines for the Northeast and Small Swale (view map here).
While we remain excited about the momentum toward establishing a National Urban Park in Saskatoon, we are still deeply concerned about the proposed boundaries. They have the potential to reduce the amount of protected land in the Northeast and Small Swales that Council endorsed on February 22, 2023 (view map here).
As the only significant areas of natural prairie remaining in this prairie city, the Swales have the potential to become the heart of our Park. These landscapes will speak to the world, truly making Saskatoon shine.
What March 11 showed us is this: resident voices matter, and they change outcomes. Because people spoke up, reduced boundaries were not quietly pushed through and Council has acknowledged that the issue is still open.
We are asking you to continue writing to Council to:
- Reaffirm support for the 2023 Council-approved Swale boundaries
- Express concern about any reduction in protected land
- Call for meaningful public discussion before any final decisions are made
Letters must be submitted by Monday March 23, by 5pm. Find a template and information on how to submit below.
“Proposed” National Urban Park Boundaries. Park includes land within the green dotted lines. Does not include blue hashed lines.
Council Approved Boundaries from February 2023 in dark purple.
How to submit a letter or request to speak
Submit a letter to Council in support of the Swale Watchers’ recommendations. Or request to speak in person (limit of 5 minutes) at the March 25 meeting. You must submit your letter (a template letter is further down the page) and/or request to speak no later than Monday, March 23 at 5 pm.
When filling out the form please fill in the following:
Name of the organization or agency you are representing (if applicable):
If you are writing a letter on behalf of an organization put your organization’s name here, otherwise leave this space blank.
If you are requesting to speak please do not put Swale Watchers as we can only have one representative speak. You can speak on behalf of your organization or as an individual.
What meeting do you wish to speak/submit comments? (if known):
REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
What agenda item do you wish to comment on?
8.5.2
Note that you can either attach a Word document/PDF letter to the form or put your comments/letter directly into the comments box.
Letter Template:
Dear Councillors & Your Worship,
I am encouraged that work toward and discussion around a National Urban Park in Saskatoon is continuing, and I appreciate that Council’s March 11 Committee discussion acknowledged concerns raised by residents.
I remain concerned about the proposed National Urban Park boundaries in relation to the Northeast and Small Swales (Appendix 4). The revised park boundaries do not ensure protection of the swales within the boundaries endorsed by Council on February 22, 2023, which were supported by the community and grounded in conservation science. The 2023 boundaries protect ecologically important areas of the Swales and include buffers necessary to safeguard these rare prairie landscapes.
While the recent motion acknowledged Council’s 2023 direction, it unfortunately left room for further discussion about developing within those boundaries because for now, the Swale boundaries are not final. Given the importance of these lands, Council has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to reaffirm its previous direction and ensure meaningful public involvement in any discussion about changes to boundaries going forward.
I am writing with three requests, that Council:
- Proposes a motion and votes NO to Recommendation 2: Approval of the 2026 Provisional National Urban Park Boundary in Appendix 3 based on the deficiencies of the boundaries, as shown in Appendix 4.
- Proposes a motion and votes YES to aligning the NUP boundary with the 2023 Council approved boundaries of the Small Swale and Northeast Swales.
- Proposes a motion and votes YES to instructing City administration to commit to transparent and authentic engagement with Swale Watchers and other members of the conservation community regarding any decisions that will affect the health or protection of the Northeast and Small Swales.
The March 11 discussion demonstrated that residents are concerned. I urge Council to build on that momentum by reaffirming its 2023 direction and ensuring that any future decisions about the Swales are informed, transparent, and grounded in community engagement.
Sincerely,
Get in touch with us
The Swale Watchers gratefully acknowledge that we live and work on Treaty Six territory and the homeland of the Metis Nation.
© 2025 Swale Watchers
Photos By: Muhammad Zain Ul Abideen & M. Mickelson