Wildwood, Saskatoon
Encyclopedia
Wildwood is a primarily residential neighbourhood located in the southeast part of Saskatoon
, Saskatchewan
, Canada
. It includes part of the 8th Street
business district. The majority of its residents live in townhouse or apartment-style multiple unit dwellings, with a sizeable minority of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2007, the area is home to 7,967 residents. The neighbourhood is considered a middle-income area, with an average family income of $54,691, and a home ownership rate of 61.2%. Average housing prices range from $155,456 for a low-rise apartment style condo to $286,335 for a single family dwelling.
Before being part of Saskatoon, the land for Wildwood was used for agriculture. It includes part of the Sutherland Moraine, a ridge that forms a local topographic high. George Stephenson, who ranched in the Dundurn
area in the 1880s, operated a dairy farm in along 8th Street until 1911. The intersection of 8th Street and Central Avenue (now Acadia Drive) was referred to as "Stephenson's Corner" for many years. The streetcar line from Saskatoon to Sutherland ran east down 8th Street and turned north into Sutherland.
The Wildwood Golf Course existed before any residential development occurred. As well, the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association operated a racing oval on land between the present-day Moss Avenue and McKercher Drive. In 1968, the SSRCA had to find another home when the City of Saskatoon announced its intention to expand eastward and annex the land.
The land where Wildwood now exists was annexed in the period between 1970 and 1974, and the golf course's name was chosen for the name of the new neighbourhood. Home construction was at its peak from 1971 until 1980. Wildwood School opened on May 9, 1978. Bishop Pocock School opened in 1978, and the Lakewood Civic Centre was opened in 1988.
of the Conservative Party of Canada
, first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2006.
Provincially, the area is within the constituency of Saskatoon Greystone
. It is currently represented by Rob Norris of the Saskatchewan Party
, first elected in 2007.
In Saskatoon's non-partisan municipal politics, Wildwood lies within ward 9. It is currently represented by Councillor Tiffany Paulsen. She was first elected in 2000 and has been re-elected three times: 2003 (by acclamation), 2006 and 2009 (by acclamation).
Parts of Lakewood Park are landscaped with natural prairie grassland vegetation. As well, the park contains a constructed wetland area, designed to remove pollutants from stormwater and control runoff. The wetland's waters and native plants in turn provide habitat for native aquatic animals, insects, and birds.
The Wildwood Community Association coordinates recreational programs and social activities, maintains the park and outdoor rink, and promotes the well-being of residents. The volunteer-run association also provides a voice for the community on issues of local concern.
The Lakewood Civic Centre houses a swimming pool and waterslide, fitness facilities, meeting and recreational space, and the Cliff Wright Branch Library all in one facility.
The Wildwood Golf Course is an 18 hole course that has an intermediate level of play. It includes a practice green, pro shop and coffee shop.
Wildwood's northern border includes the eastern end of the 8th Street business district. The Wildwood Mall, an enclosed shopping mall opened in 1978, was the area's first major commercial development. It was built on the former Stephenson dairy farm land. Today it is the east part of the Centre Mall
and linked via an underground tunnel to the west part, the former Circle Park Mall. A few satellite businesses are located in freestanding buildings along 8th Street, straddling the mall property.
to the north, Boychuk Drive to the east, Taylor Street to the south, and Circle Drive
to the west. Inside those boundaries, the roads are a mix of local and collector
roads. McKercher Drive, a north-south arterial road
, roughly bisects the neighbourhood; Acadia Drive is another north-south arterial road in the west half of Wildwood.
Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a city in central Saskatchewan, Canada, on the South Saskatchewan River. Residents of the city of Saskatoon are called Saskatonians. The city is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Corman Park No. 344....
, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It includes part of the 8th Street
8th Street East (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
8th Street East is a road serving the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It begins as a continuation of a minor residential street at Highway 219 in Saskatoon, and runs through the city, eventually exiting the city limits, going through the eastern part of Corman Park Rural Municipality and...
business district. The majority of its residents live in townhouse or apartment-style multiple unit dwellings, with a sizeable minority of low-density, single detached dwellings. As of 2007, the area is home to 7,967 residents. The neighbourhood is considered a middle-income area, with an average family income of $54,691, and a home ownership rate of 61.2%. Average housing prices range from $155,456 for a low-rise apartment style condo to $286,335 for a single family dwelling.
History
Dundurn, Saskatchewan
-Sites of interest:Blackstrap Provincial park and Blackstrap Ski Hill a conservation area with man made lake as well as a man made mountain is located 7 kilometers or 5 miles to the east of town. In 1969, 1970 Mount Blackstrap was constructed to host the 1971 Canada Winter Games which were awarded...
area in the 1880s, operated a dairy farm in along 8th Street until 1911. The intersection of 8th Street and Central Avenue (now Acadia Drive) was referred to as "Stephenson's Corner" for many years. The streetcar line from Saskatoon to Sutherland ran east down 8th Street and turned north into Sutherland.
The Wildwood Golf Course existed before any residential development occurred. As well, the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association operated a racing oval on land between the present-day Moss Avenue and McKercher Drive. In 1968, the SSRCA had to find another home when the City of Saskatoon announced its intention to expand eastward and annex the land.
The land where Wildwood now exists was annexed in the period between 1970 and 1974, and the golf course's name was chosen for the name of the new neighbourhood. Home construction was at its peak from 1971 until 1980. Wildwood School opened on May 9, 1978. Bishop Pocock School opened in 1978, and the Lakewood Civic Centre was opened in 1988.
Government and politics
Wildwood exists within the federal electoral district of Blackstrap. It is currently represented by Lynne YelichLynne Yelich
Lynne Yelich , PC, MP is a third-generation Croatian-Canadian politician and the MP for the riding of Blackstrap. The riding of Blackstrap includes Yelich's home town of Kenaston, Saskatchewan, identified as the largest Croatian farming settlement in Canada...
of the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
, first elected in 2000 and re-elected in 2004 and 2006.
Provincially, the area is within the constituency of Saskatoon Greystone
Saskatoon Greystone
Saskatoon Greystone is a provincial electoral district for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, Canada.The district encompasses the Greystone Heights, Grosvenor Park, Brevoort Park and Wildwood neighbourhoods of Saskatoon....
. It is currently represented by Rob Norris of the Saskatchewan Party
Saskatchewan Party
The Saskatchewan Party is a conservative liberal political party in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The party was established in 1997 by a coalition of former provincial Progressive Conservative and Liberal party members and supporters who sought to remove the Saskatchewan New Democratic...
, first elected in 2007.
In Saskatoon's non-partisan municipal politics, Wildwood lies within ward 9. It is currently represented by Councillor Tiffany Paulsen. She was first elected in 2000 and has been re-elected three times: 2003 (by acclamation), 2006 and 2009 (by acclamation).
Education
- Wildwood School - public elementary, part of the Saskatoon Public School DivisionSaskatoon Public School DivisionSaskatoon Public Schools is the largest school system in Saskatoon and is the second largest in Saskatchewan.Saskatoon Public Schools has approximately 22,000 students with 44 elementary schools and 9 high schools. The offices of the Saskatoon School Board are housed in the Eaton's Building. ...
- Bishop Pocock School - separate (Catholic) elemenatary, part of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School DivisionGreater Saskatoon Catholic School DivisionGreater Saskatoon Catholic School Division is Saskatchewan’s largest Catholic school division. The Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division has approximately 15,000 students in 44 schools located in Saskatoon and surrounding rural districts. St. Pauls R.C.S.S.D No. 20 belongs to Department of...
- Cliff Wright Branch Library - officially opened on January 9, 1989, as part of the Lakewood Civic Centre.
Public Safety
- Fire Station #6 - covers the southeast area of Saskatoon. This hall has a one captain and four firefighters that work on each of the four shifts.
Parks and recreation
- Heritage Green (1.65 acres)
- Heritage Park (9.1 acres)
- Lakewood Park, district section (14.51 acres)
- Wildwood Park (20.61 acres)
- Lakewood Park, multi-district section (25.34 acres)
Parts of Lakewood Park are landscaped with natural prairie grassland vegetation. As well, the park contains a constructed wetland area, designed to remove pollutants from stormwater and control runoff. The wetland's waters and native plants in turn provide habitat for native aquatic animals, insects, and birds.
The Wildwood Community Association coordinates recreational programs and social activities, maintains the park and outdoor rink, and promotes the well-being of residents. The volunteer-run association also provides a voice for the community on issues of local concern.
The Lakewood Civic Centre houses a swimming pool and waterslide, fitness facilities, meeting and recreational space, and the Cliff Wright Branch Library all in one facility.
The Wildwood Golf Course is an 18 hole course that has an intermediate level of play. It includes a practice green, pro shop and coffee shop.
Commercial
The Centre (Saskatoon)
The Centre is a major shopping centre located east of the junction of Circle Drive and 8th Street in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It is currently anchored by Zellers, SportChek, Safeway, Rainbow Cinemas, the Centre Cinemas, Petcetera, Shoppers Drug Mart and Dollarama. Until 2002-2003, Canadian Tire...
and linked via an underground tunnel to the west part, the former Circle Park Mall. A few satellite businesses are located in freestanding buildings along 8th Street, straddling the mall property.
Location
Wildwood is located within the Lakewood Suburban Development Area. It is bounded by 8th Street8th Street East (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
8th Street East is a road serving the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. It begins as a continuation of a minor residential street at Highway 219 in Saskatoon, and runs through the city, eventually exiting the city limits, going through the eastern part of Corman Park Rural Municipality and...
to the north, Boychuk Drive to the east, Taylor Street to the south, and Circle Drive
Circle Drive
Circle Drive is a major road constructed as a ring road in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. The northeastern portion of the road is part of the Yellowhead Highway.-History:...
to the west. Inside those boundaries, the roads are a mix of local and collector
Collector road
A collector road or distributor road is a low to moderate-capacity road which serve to move traffic from local streets to arterial roads. Unlike arterials, collectors are also designed to provide access to residential properties...
roads. McKercher Drive, a north-south arterial road
Arterial road
An arterial road, or arterial thoroughfare, is a high-capacity urban road. The primary function of an arterial road is to deliver traffic from collector roads to freeways, and between urban centres at the highest level of service possible. As such, many arteries are limited-access roads, or feature...
, roughly bisects the neighbourhood; Acadia Drive is another north-south arterial road in the west half of Wildwood.