Originally Posted by Larch
i have to jump in on this regina-saskatoon comparison.
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this leads me to the parks comparison. wascana centre IS amazing, no doubt about it. it's easily one of the best examples of 20th century urban park design in canada (if not north america)...especially considering that it was essentially built on a swamp. i've spent countless hours within it and on the trails that connect it to the rest of the city.
that said, and even though i've only lived in saskatoon for 3 years, i've probably already spent more time in the meewasin valley. it is ABSOLUTELY STUNNING, no matter where you are. if we're talking about one particular park, perhaps wascana has the edge. but if we're talking about a park system there is again little comparison. meewasin integrates most of the city's old neighbourhoods, river landing and the downtown core, the university and beyond. with over 60km of trails, 7 (soon 8) bridges, and its numerous parks (each with its own distinct feel and function, as the various festivals in each will attest), i think it far exceeds the reach of wascana,
regina's victoria park has a very unique place in the heart of downtown that you'd be hard-pressed to match in saskatoon. kiwanis maybe does more as a festival site, but less as a bustling city-centre green space (at least during the workday - is vic park still called "victim park" for its nighttime activities?)
i think the biggest difference between the two is their quality of street life. saskatoon has an enviable level for any city of its size (not to say it couldn't be improved), while regina still has a loooooong way to go. i don't have any stats to back this up, but i would imagine that saskatoon's civic involvement/pride far exceeds that of regina. whether for slut-walk, gay pride, or the unveiling of a new bike corridor, people in saskatoon come out in droves to make themselves heard.
i would also suspect that saskatoon is a younger city, and that the people here are more fitness-oriented regardless of age. i think this translates to overall street-life, as people are generally out and about to see and be seen. the level of urban design detail is also much higher here, which adds to the varied sense of place from one neighbourhood to the next.
and then there's the view factor. unless you're in a building or on the hill in douglas park you won't see much of regina (from within the city centre at least, though the view coming north on wascana pkway is memorable), while saskatoon nicely frames its varied panorama from any number of places in town. i guess the exact opposite is true when looking at each city from its surroundings. this topographical difference is one of the main reasons i like each for what they are.
if i could summarize each place with just one quality i would say that regina is hard while saskatoon is soft.
in the end i prefer saskatoon, but i'll defend regina to the end against anyone who talks it down...especially if they've never lived there.
i think saskatchewan is fortunate to have two distinct urban centres, and i'm incredibly excited to see what the future holds for both of them.
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