Nutana Squares

Nutana is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, lying on the east bank of the South Saskatchewan River across from the University of Saskatchewan's main campus. It is a residential district of tree-lined streets, older houses and small commercial strips, and it feels distinct from the downtown on the opposite bank. It is a good place to see how the city grew from a prairie settlement into a river city.

The neighbourhood's roots go back to 1883, when the Temperance Colonization Society established a settlement on this stretch of the river. The founders wanted a community free of alcohol, and they chose the site for its soil and its position by the water. The first settlement grew slowly, and Nutana later amalgamated with Saskatoon and Riversdale to form the single city. The connection to the founding colony makes it one of the most historically meaningful corners of the city.

Walking through Nutana, you see a range of early twentieth-century housing, including Edwardian and Victorian houses, bungalows and early apartment blocks, with mature elms and other trees lining the streets. The architecture is modest rather than grand, but the blocks have a coherent character, and many houses have been carefully maintained. The riverbank is close, and the Meewasin Valley Trail runs along the water, so it is easy to combine a street walk with a stroll or ride along the river, looking across at the university and the city skyline.

Broadway Avenue is the neighbourhood's commercial spine, lined with cafes, restaurants, independent shops, and the Broadway Theatre, a long-running community cinema. A well-known bridge carries Broadway across the river to downtown, and it is one of the most photographed views in Saskatoon. The nearby Remai Modern art gallery and the Saskatoon Farmers' Market are within reach for those who want to continue exploring.

Visitors come here to enjoy the unhurried pace, the tree-lined streets and the easy access to the river trails. It suits walkers, cyclists, architecture enthusiasts and anyone who prefers a local neighbourhood to a headline attraction. The place is not a formal square or a ticketed site, so there are no hours or admission fees, and it is best explored on foot. Late spring and summer are the greenest, while autumn colour along the riverbank is especially good. Allow an hour or two for the streets, and add time for a coffee on Broadway.