FAQs

Will I have to pay to visit the park?

No. The park will remain free to access. Meewasin has always offered free public access, with some ticketed programs.

How will the park be managed?

Meewasin and its partners will continue to manage the Meewasin Valley as they do now. A new advisory committee will be created, and Meewasin will work collaboratively with Parks Canada.

Visit the Potential Park section of our website to learn more about the proposed governance.

Will Parks Canada be taking over Meewasin’s existing local jurisdictional authority of the Meewasin Valley?

No, the local jurisdictional authority will remain unchanged.

The proposed park will not be a federally governed or administered park. It will continue to be governed under the existing provincial Meewasin Valley Authority Act.

Does Parks Canada have the authority to change land use rules in the Meewasin Valley once designated?

No, authority over land use remains with Meewasin, municipal, regional and provincial governments/institutions and Rights Holders.

What does designation mean?

National Urban Parks will be designated under the National Urban Parks Policy. Further information about the policy can be found here: National urban parks policy

What's a National Urban Park? 

A National Urban Park is a natural and historically significant area in or near a major city in Canada. National Urban Parks are managed in ways that contribute to three goals:  

• conserve nature;  
• connect people with nature; and 
• advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 

They are generally large natural areas made up of existing green spaces or places that are being restored to a more natural state. 

Learn more about the national program: National urban parks - Parks Canada

What’s being proposed in the Saskatoon Region? 

Meewasin and its partners are working with Parks Canada to explore the idea of designating a National Urban Park (NUP) in the Saskatoon region. 

This park would build on Meewasin’s work to protect the river valley and make it a healthy, vibrant place for everyone. The park could include: 

• Conservation projects like a new seed bank and greenhouse 
• A visitor centre to welcome and educate people about exploring the Valley 
• Cultural spaces to celebrate and share First Nations, Métis, and Inuit culture, language, and stories 
• New and improved trails to help people explore and connect with nature 

Where would the park be located? 

The park would include public land in the Meewasin Valley and within Meewasin’s current jurisdiction, along the South Saskatchewan River.

Visit the Potential Park section of our website to see the proposed boundaries.

Why do we need a National Urban Park? What will change?

The park would allow for new investment and could bring many benefits, including: 

• Protecting nature and helping with climate resilience 
• Creating jobs and boosting tourism 
• Improving aging infrastructure like existing trails and Meewasin’s greenhouse and seedbank, and building new features like a visitor centre, cultural spaces, and new trail sections  
• Supporting reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples 
• Encouraging connection, inclusion, and partnerships

Has a decision been made yet? 

Not yet. No final decision has been made. More conversations are needed with: 

• Partners and interest groups 
• The public 
• First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities 

 Visit the Journey section of our website to see how we got to this point. 

What are the key milestones so far? 

• 2021: Meewasin and Parks Canada signed a Statement of Collaboration and formed a steering committee.
• 2022–2023: Engagement began with many groups, including First Nations, Métis peoples, Knowledge Keepers, and youth. Resource management plans were created.
• 2024–2025: A draft vision, park boundaries, governance model, and investment priorities were developed. A pre-feasibility report was published, and letters of support were gathered from partners.

What’s next? When will the park be official? 

The goal is to designate the national urban park by March 31, 2026, and then move into implementation. Before that, we need to: 

• Continue engagement with the public, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities
• Sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Meewasin and Parks Canada
• Secure funding
• Reach a final agreement between all parties

How can I share my feedback? 

We want to hear from you! You can share your thoughts on the draft vision, park boundaries, and investment ideas. Here is how to get involved: 

• Take our online survey
• Visit a pop-up event near you
• Attend our open house in September

We will be hosting events all summer and into September 2025.

Visit the Get Involved section of our website to learn more. 

How will my feedback help? 

Your feedback helps shape the future of the park. It will help us: 

• Make sure the park reflects what the community wants and needs
• Include voices from the public and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities
• Understand what park details need more work before moving forward

Together, we can create a park that reflects our shared goals for conservation, culture, and community.   

How can I stay updated? 

You can stay informed in a few ways: 

• Visit our website: urbanparksask.ca
• Sign up for Meewasin’s newsletter: meewasin.com
• Learn more about the national program: parks.canada.ca/pun-nup