A few months ago, I went to Beaver Creek with my mom and noticed a couple signs from the Meewasin Valley Authority that I’d never seen before.  They were maps of the different parks and conservation areas around Saskatoon.  I saw that there were supposed to be a few boat launches south of the river so I set my mind on trying to find them this spring.

Disappointment is the only word I can use right now.  One of them is a road with no markings and looks like private property and the other two have no real launch.  This includes today’s adventure to Poplar Bluffs Conservation Area.  One trail to a steep sandy cliff going down to the river – that’s a boat launch?  Alright, I know there were postings online that the boat launch has been out of order for several years, but I can’t even imagine what it looked like at one time!  And for several years?  Come on, can’t we find a little money to fix this place up a bit?

I did find one side trail that took me around a short distance and back to the parking lot but still, it was all a real disappointment.  No signage save one about the history of a little island in the river, but nothing marking trails or picnic areas.  This city continues to grow and our parks are wastelands.  Nice.  A chance to learn a little about the area and the flora and fauna is totally being wasted.

I saw a man load up his dog as I came back to my car.  I love animals and miss all my dogs so much, but this conservation are is clearly going to turn into so many of the former conservation areas in the city – a poop filled dog park.  So tragic since the little bit that I saw was actually quite lovely!