Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is a historical and ecological gem that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, educational opportunities, and recreational activities. Spanning approximately 58 hectares, the park has evolved from its origins as a tree nursery into a multifaceted destination that attracts visitors year-round. The Forestry Farm Park's history dates back to 1913, when it was established as the Sutherland Forest Nursery Station. Its primary purpose was to produce and distribute tree seedlings to support reforestation and agricultural shelterbelt projects across the Canadian Prairies. Over the decades, millions of trees were cultivated and planted, significantly contributing to the region's ecological stability. In 1966, the nursery station closed, and the site was transformed into the Forestry Farm Park, preserving its legacy while repurposing the land for public enjoyment and conservation. Today, the park boasts beautifully manicured gardens, serene walking paths, and a wealth of heritage buildings that offer a glimpse into the past. The gardens, featuring a wide variety of plant species, provide a vibrant display of colors and fragrances, making it a popular spot for leisurely strolls and picnics. The park's historical buildings, including the Superintendent's Residence and the Office/Foreman's House, have been meticulously restored and serve as reminders of the park's rich history. At the heart of the park is the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo, which opened in 1972. The zoo is home to over 80 species of animals, ranging from native Canadian wildlife to exotic species from around the world. Visitors can encounter majestic creatures like grizzly bears, cougars, and wolves, as well as more playful animals like red pandas and meerkats. The zoo is committed to conservation and education, participating in various breeding programs and offering educational programs for schools and the public. The park also features several recreational amenities, including playgrounds, picnic areas, and a fishing pond. The fishing pond, stocked with trout, is a favorite spot for family outings and young anglers. Additionally, the park's vast open spaces and scenic vistas make it a popular location for community events, weddings, and photography sessions. In summary, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is a cherished community resource that blends historical significance with modern attractions. It offers a tranquil escape from urban life, a sanctuary for wildlife, and a living testament to the region's commitment to conservation and environmental stewardship. Whether you're a history enthusiast, nature lover, or family looking for a fun day out, the park provides something for everyone.
Kayode AderemiKayode Aderemi
00
The website indicates that there is no fee to enter the park, but there is to enter the zoo. So you can imagine my surprise when I drove up to the park gate to find out there was a $5 parking fee. The website is highly misleading. I went just to visit the zoo. Didn't really drive around the park at all, and it's been years since I've been to the park prior to 2024, so I can't comment on the park too much. The zoo, however, was a solid 3-4 stars. Nothing bad to say about the zoo, but nothing to get terribly excited about either. It's still small, and still quite uneventful. Not the greatest for photo opportunities as the enclosures are generally pretty small and several of the animals stayed near the far fence, if out at all. Any photos are going to look like boring zoo photos. I did manage to capture a few animals with natural looking backgrounds, however. Overall, a decent enough experience. Oh, and there used to be peacocks roaming around the zoo. Now it's just geese.
dBdB
00
I used to take my kids here all the time when they were young several years ago and there was plenty to see and it was well taken care of. I went to the zoo today and was really disappointed. A lot of the animal enclosures were empty and the pond that used to home many types of birds including beautiful swans now looks like a green swamp with overgrown weeds and bushes. No birds at all there now. They used to have peacocks and roosters roaming freely - now there’s none. Even many of the enclosures with animals in them were pretty sparse. I saw no deer at all and the monkey enclosure had one monkey. I would be embarrassed to take out of town relatives or friends to this zoo. If it’s a city budget issue, Saskatoon really needs to do something about this. The parking lot was busy today - way more people than you’ll see at that downtown gallery that the city paid millions for. Come on Saskatoon……… you can do better. I wont be back anytime soon.
A KA K
00
The zoo has a lot of animals you can find in Canada. Wolves,cougars, bear, deer and elk usually. A few birds (hawks and eagles) They will usually have some sort of exotic animal as well (they usually have monkeys) when we were there in May they had MEERKATS which was amazing to see, they have also had baby white tigers in the past and usually have some sort of main attraction. There's not a ton of sun cover so plan accordingly. They also tend to have geese and peacocks wondering about (the geese were a bit aggresive in our last visit, just something to think about with younger children) parking at the park is $2.00 and it's 12.50 per adult (I believe there is a family pass available as well). Overall it doesn't change much from year to year but worth checking out if you've never been or haven't been for a while. See the exotic attractions (MEERKATS!) can be worth the price of admission in some cases.
Brad J.Brad J.
00
Second time to visit. We previously got the family pass & it was a breeze with admission this time. The birds are now back as compared to last May when they were kept due to the avian flu. The canteen & the monkey area is currently under construction which is a bummer since last time, we enjoyed watching the little monkeys. We loved the color of the changing trees! We took photos, picnicked under the tree. Oh the highlight of our visit was the prarie dog. They were so cute my family had fun interacting with them. The butterfly building seemed done but closed for the season. Unfortunately. The zoo is small compared to Calgary zoo but it’s not that bad since they’ve got many animals for the little ones as well. Porcupine, bald eagle, snowy owl, grizzly bear, elk, etc. Overall our visit was great! Would be coming back for more 😊
Arya SoliugaArya Soliuga
00
Not bad. Some of the animals were not available to see (for some reason). Fair pricing, adequate packing and wide walkways/pathways such that we didn't have to fall into the bush to avoid other humans (get it? No?) There were owls and mountain goats and bisons and the cutest prong-horns (with white cute butts). There's a ?lake with ducks/swans swimming happily and excellent for a good fall photo backdrop. There's the butterfly room which is really cool too, except we didn't see any butterflies but a kind sir (if he identifies as such) helped us take a nice picture. Again, memorabilia matters to me. And there's like awesome benches for picnicking afterwards if you packed some lunch. We did, and we totally loved that it made the 2.5 hour drive down from the YQR worth it.
Ayo BabalolaAyo Babalola
00
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Address
1903 Forestry Farm Park Dr, Saskatoon, SK S7S 1G9, Canada
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Phone
+1 306-975-3382
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Website
saskatoon.ca
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Reviews
Overview
4.3
(1.3K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
entertainment
family friendly
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Description
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 and later Sutherland Forest Nursery Station.
attractions: Saskatoon Zoo Society, Enchanted Forest at Forestry Farm, restaurants:
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