Forestry Farm Park and Zoo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Forestry Farm Park and Zoo |
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|---|---|
| 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 cool park and zoo in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. It's a place where you can see animals and enjoy nature. This park wasn't always a zoo. It started as a special tree nursery called the Dominion Forest Nursery Station.
From 1913 to 1966, this nursery grew and sent out an amazing 147 million trees! These trees went to farms all over the northern prairie provinces. The first trees were sent to farmers in 1916. The nursery grew many types of trees like caragana, ash, maple, elm, and willow.
The park is now a National Historic Site of Canada. This means it's a very important place in Canadian history. After the tree nursery closed in 1966, part of it became the city park we know today. It's now surrounded by Saskatoon's neighborhoods, acting like a green space for the city.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
The Forestry Farm Park has lots of fun areas to explore:
- Forestry Farm House: This is also called the Superintendent's Residence. It's a historic brick house built in 1913. It's a special heritage building!
- Hall: A big room that can hold up to 225 people for events.
- Gazebo Picnic Site: A great spot for a picnic with seating for 100 people.
- Fishing Pond: You can try fishing for Rainbow Trout here! Just remember you need a daily permit.
- Kinsmen Express Zoo Train: Hop on this train for a fun guided tour through the zoo area.
- Paws Inn Concession and Gift Shop: Grab a snack or find a cool souvenir here. It's run by the Zoo Society.
- Meditation Garden: A peaceful garden cared for by the Perennial Society.
- Heritage Rose Garden: Another beautiful garden filled with roses, also cared for by the Perennial Society.
- Zoo: The main animal area, which we'll talk more about next!
- Demonstration Forest: This is part of the original tree nursery.
The Zoo
The Zoo is a big part of the park. It became home to animals in 1964. Before that, the animals were at a place called the Golden Gate Animal Farm. When that farm had money problems, the city decided to move the animals and equipment to the Forestry Farm Park.
Today, the Zoo is approved by the Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means it meets high standards for animal care and education. The zoo is home to over 80 different kinds of animals!
The Saskatoon Zoo Society was created in 1976. Their goal is to help with the zoo's education programs and make sure the animals are well cared for. They do a lot to support the zoo and its amazing animals.
