There has been talk of a Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo master plan for a while, with large, more naturalistic habitats for animals, and conservation and research facilities, but there have been concerns raised by some about what will happen to the free park area. Zoo manager, Tim Sinclair-Smith, says other than having to pay for parking, which has always been the case, the fish pond, children’s play area, the gardens and the barbecue area will remain free. Where you park will move though, and there will no longer be a parking ticket booth at the front of the park. Instead, you will pay in the lot through a parking station or by using a parking app on your phone. Sinclair-Smith says the plan is still in the works, with a presentation to City Council in June. One of the goals is to remediate the old buildings on site to create an historical connection, focusing on the history of the park and integrating First Nations and Metis cultural history. For example, Sinclair-Smith would like to see the seed building become the Sutherland Nursery Museum and the the blacksmith’s hut becoming a working blacksmith’s shop again. Anyone who has concerns or would like to give input, Sinclair-Smith says they are happy to have your input.
Here is a link to the master plan to date: https://www.saskatoon.ca/parks-recreation-attractions/events-attractions/saskatoon-forestry-farm-park-zoo/park-zoo-master-plan