The Meewasin Valley Authority has an amazing and picturesque network of trails along the South Saskatchewan river. There is no doubt about it, “the Meewasin Trail ranked as the top thing Saskatoonians like about walking in Saskatoon. (City of Saskatoon Active Transportation Plan consultation, June 2015 source)”
“In the wood among the pines, it seemed that for one brief moment, I had tasted immortality, and in a few seconds had lived an eternity. This experience may last forever.” Richard St. Barbe Baker from My Life My Trees
City of Saskatoon seers of distinction, Bill Graham, City Planner; Alfred Henry Browne, “Man of the Trees” city Parks Superintendent ; Wyndham Winkler Ashley, local horticulturist and founder of the parks ; Bert Wellman, City planning and Building Director and A. L. Ligtemoet, Assistant Parks Superintendent all envisioned a green city. The Afforestation Areas began in 1972 had been approved as an afforestation area in perpetuity at a city council meeting that same year. These included the areas which came to be known as the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, Gabriel Dumont Park, and the afforestation area formerly known as George Genereux Park. (in 2008, this namesake was bestowed upon a pocket park in Willowgrove. ”
Over the course of City council meetings of 1978 and 1979, Richard St. Barbe Baker was honoured with naming of the wooded area south of the CN Trains Yards. The afforestation area became then known as the Richard St. Barbe Baker Park (Urban Regional Park). A dedication ceremony was held in 1985.
Richard St. Barbe Baker (1889-1982) Founder of Men of the Trees (MoTT) world renown horticulturist, and silviculturist ( a person who tends to trees) received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws on 6 November 1971 from the University of Saskatchewan. This honour was followed by an appointment bestowed by Queen Elizabeth II as Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE in 1978.
As an open space designation of the City of Saskatoon, there is a bylaw prohibiting motorized vehicles within these afforestation areas.
The Tourism Saskatchewan Website does show which areas in Saskatchewan have designated All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) trails and parks. In a similar fashion, Tourism Saskatchewan also has online which areas in the province have Snowmobile trails.
The Saskatchewan Trails Association (STA), Saskatchewan Snowmobile Association and the Saskatcheawn All Terrain Vehicle Association SATVA have more information online about motorized recreational vehicle pathways in the province.
The Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is approximately a 2-1/2 mile length of woodland north of Cedar Villa Road, and west of the City of Saskatoon Civic Operations Centre (Bus Barns construction site).
“I began to walk faster, buoyed up with an almost ethereal feeling of well being, as if I had been detached from the earth. I became intoxicated with the beauty around me, immersed in the joyousness and exultation of feeling part of it all. …I was lost in the depths of the forest, but at that moment this did not dawn upon me.” Richard St. Barbe Baker from My Life My Trees
For directions as to how to drive to “George Genereux” Urban Regional Park
For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
For more information:
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Addresses:
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 “George Genereux” Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Please help protect / enhance your afforestation areas, please contact the Friends of the Saskatoon Afforestation Areas Inc. (e-mail)
Support the afforestation areas with your donation or membership ($20.00/year). Please donate by paypal using the e-mail friendsafforestation AT gmail.com, or by using e-transfers Please and thank you! Your donation and membership is greatly appreciated. Members e-mail your contact information to be kept up to date!
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What was Richard St. Barbe Baker’s mission, that he imparted to the Watu Wa Miti, the very first forest scouts or forest guides? To protect the native forest, plant ten native trees each year, and take care of trees everywhere.
“We stand in awe and wonder at the beauty of a single tree. Tall and graceful it stands, yet robust and sinewy with spreading arms decked with foliage that changes through the seasons, hour by hour, moment by moment as shadows pass or sunshine dapples the leaves. How much more deeply are we moved as we begin to appreciate the combined operations of the assembly of trees we call a forest.”~Richard St. Barbe Baker
“St. Barbe’s unique capacity to pass on his enthusiasm to others. . . Many foresters all over the world found their vocations as a result of hearing ‘The Man of the Trees’ speak. I certainly did, but his impact has been much wider than that. Through his global lecture tours, St. Barbe has made millions of people aware of the importance of trees and forests to our planet.” Allan Grainger
“The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man’s aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God’s loveliest creatures – the tree.” ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area. George Genereux Urban Regional Park. 
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