Council committee to offer feedback on proposed Saskatoon neighbourhood name

Saskatoon’s civic naming committee will get a chance to weigh in on the city’s next proposed neighbourhood name later today.

“Hawthorn” has been chosen by Saskatoon Land above “Moose Woods Trail” and “Riddell.”

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The name falls in line with the “Environmental Theme” of other area neighbourhood developments that began in 1987, and is the last part of the University Heights sector to become a residential neighbourhood. That’s according to a report authored by Keith Folkerson, a city senior land developer.

The neighbourhood will be located north of the Silverspring and Evergreen areas, and bordered by the Northeast Swale, Small Swale and the South Saskatchewan River. It was previously made up of mostly cultivated farmland.

According to the report, “Hawthorn trees or shrubs are known for their fragrant flowers and thorny branches symbolizing resilience and protection.

“Hawthorns are also known as thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn or hawberry. The berries were eaten and used medicinally by Canadian Indigenous peoples and early settlers, who also made hawthorn wine,” it read.

There is some concern about the development itself, according to a letter from the Swale Watchers’ Meghan Mickelson and Candace Savage.

A letter written to councillors questions when public consultations for the concept plans will be announced, among other topics.

“Will Council commit to implementing Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design practices and safeguarding wildlife corridors between the Northeast Swale, Small Swale, and the river valley?” they asked.

At this point, no concept or development plan public meetings have been announced.

A separate report going to council today indicates the naming request is timed to coincide with the Saskatoon Land concept plan application.

Saskatoon city council will have the final say on whether the name is approved.