Parks

From quiet serenity and retreat to full, active and intense participation in the community, the choices of lifestyle are rich and rewarding in Moose Jaw region. In general, residents enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle.

City Parks
Crescent Park: A 28 acre well-established manicured site in the heart of the City. A rich abundance of trees, shrubs and flowerbeds provides the beautiful natural setting for an Olympic size outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, lawn bowling, an outdoor amphitheatre, and the Centre in the Park (library/art gallery/museum and auditorium).

Connors Park: A picturesque and developed park located within Wakamow Valley. The park provides children’s playgrounds and designated picnic areas.

Spring Creek Park: Developed area along spring creek and next to newer residential neighbourhoods of Sunningdale and the VLA area in northwest Moose Jaw. The park has trails for cycling and walking, playgrounds, and rest areas.

Happy Valley Park: Also along spring creek, this City park in the northeast area is operated by the Multicultural Council and provides space for group activities such as picnics and Motif, a major multicultural festival, is hosted in the park each July.

Elgin Park: This is an older, ornamental park with passive recreational opportunity. It provides a playground, wading pool and picnic area.

Sunningdale Park: This park separates Sunningdale residential area from the neighbourhood school and includes pathways, playgrounds and sports fields.

Smith Park: Provides major green space for the southwest area of the City and includes soccer fields, playgrounds, and treed areas.

In addition to these major park areas, there are numerous neighbourhood parks, which are often supported by community associations. The associations provide volunteer labour, and financially assist in maintenance and improvements.

Wakamow Valley
Meaning "the turn" (in Plains Cree) is a joint municipal provincial park authority responsible for the reclamation and development of the Moose Jaw River Valley. Wakamow Valley offers a variety of recreation facilities set in a natural environment.

Facilities include picnic sites, barbeques, washrooms, shelters, fire pits and playgrounds. Paved trails provide a scenic route for walking and biking. There are camping sites within the River Valley as well as a nearby canoe launch.

Provincial and Regional Parks

Within a short driving distance from Moose Jaw there are a wide variety of parks and recreational opportunities.

Lake Diefenbaker: The largest lake in southern Saskatchewan, recreational activities include sailing, boating, and fishing. There is also an abundance of campgrounds at Douglas Provincial Park and a championship golf course at Elbow.

Dunnet Regional Park: Located in Avonlea, this regional park offers golfing, picnicking and nature hikes in a beautiful valley setting forty minutes southeast of Moose Jaw.

Buffalo Pound Lake: This park is nestled in the Qu'Appelle Valley northeast of Moose Jaw. The Buffalo Pound Provincial Park offers swimming, camping, fishing, and boating. There are a large number of private cottages in developments on both sides of the lake. A natural wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary are at Nicolle Flats at the south end of Buffalo Pound. Downhill, cross-country skiing and ice fishing at White Track Resort make this a popular year round recreation area just 20 minutes from Moose Jaw.

Hunting

Hunting is abundant in the Moose Jaw region. There are large populations of white tail deer, mule deer and antelope available for hunting in season. Old Wives Lake, Pelican Lake and dozens of sloughs and lakes southwest of the City offer plentiful opportunity for duck and goose hunts. Upland game birds such as sharp-tailed grouse and Hungarian partridge are also abundant.

Fishing

For fishing enthusiasts, Diefenbaker Lake, Buffalo Pound Lake and Last Mountain Lakes provide an easy catch of walleye, pickerel, jackfish, perch, and other species.

Accommodations

City Recreational Facilities

Complete ranges of indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities are available in Moose Jaw. These include:

• Baseball: 13 Little League Baseball Diamonds, 4 Softball Diamonds, 1 Baseball Stadium, and 20 Slow Pitch Diamonds
• Football: 1 Athletic Field, 1 Rugby Football Field
• Soccer: 4 Full Size Soccer Pitches
• Swimming Pools: The Kinsmen Sportsplex indoor aquatic centre offers a variety of activities are available for swimmers and non-swimmers. Waterslides, diving towers, zero depth beach pool, water toys, and steam and sauna facilities all make for an enjoyable water experience.
  • Kinsmen Sportsplex: 855 MacDonald St.
  • Phyllis Dewar Outdoor Pool: Crescent Park, 200 Block Fairford St. E.
• Ice Skating: The Parks and Recreation Department operates and maintains four (4) indoor artificial ice surfaces in the city. The Kinsmen Arena and Pla-Mor Palace (2 ice rinks) are home to numerous minor sport programs including speed skating, figure skating, hockey and general public skating. The Civic Centre is home to the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. In addition, many adult leagues operate out of this facility.
  • Civic Centre: 1251 Main St. N.
  • Kinsmen Arena: 855 MacDonald St.
  • Pla-Mor Palace: 855 Lillooet St. W.
    • Bert Hunt Arena
    • Wally Boshuck Arena
• Curling: Hillcrest Sports Centre operates 12 sheets during the winter. A Pro Shop is also present within the complex. 15 Wing also operates a 4-sheet facility.
• Golf: The City is home to three 18-hole golf courses. The Hillcrest and Lynbrook, are along spring creek on the City's north side. These are full size 18 hole courses with grass greens. Deer Ridge, situated along Moose Jaw River, is an 18-hole par three course that was completed in 1993.
• Bowling: 1 Bowling Alley (five pin only)
• Senior Citizen Activity Centres: The Cosmo Centre and Timothy Eaton's Centre both provide a wide range of sports, leisure, and social activities for seniors. Located downtown near bus stops and a cluster of seniors' highrises, both of these facilities offer year-round programming to hundreds of participants.
• Temple Gardens Mineral Spa: Open year-round. Located in the heart of downtown Moose Jaw, the spa is geothermal spa hotel with 181 guest rooms and 33 Spa Jacuzzi Suites. The indoor pool and outdoor deck pool are fed by naturally heated (40°C) mineral water, and is open to the general public. The Oasis Life Enhancement Centre offers massage therapy, reflexology, hydrotherapy, manicures, pedicures, and other body and skin treatments. The Spa also provides ample space for corporate gatherings and showcases.
• Trails: Over 25 kilometres of walking trails encircle the city. Joggers, walkers and inline enthusiasts all take advantage of the varied terrain and sites along the Rotary Trail to enhance their outdoor experience. The pathway system winds through well manicured and treed areas into untouched prairie landscape. Urban sections and environmentally significant loop portions add an interesting dimension.
  • Rotary Trail: 26.2 km. trail around Moose Jaw
  • Devonian Trail: 4.2 km trail 5th Ave S.E. & Fairford St. E. • Wakamow Ecological Trail: 1 km trail 7th Ave. S.W.
  • TransCanada Trail
• Tennis: Public courts in Crescent Park and at SIAST Palliser Campus.
• Fitness: The YM/YWCA contains a full set of facilities for personal fitness training, including a conditioning centre, gymnasium, racquetball and squash courts, steam and sauna room, fitness testing centre, shower and locker facilities, meeting rooms, a child care centre, and is located across from an outdoor pool and the Spa. Other fitness centres in town include Julian's Fitness & Rehab Ltd., Ladies Only Fitness Centre, Curves, Sterling Fitness Centre, Sisters Fitness, Broz Fitness for Men, Kwan’s School of Kempo Karate, and the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa and Oasis Treatment Centre.

Community Association Recreation Centres: Winter adult recreation programs in school gymnasiums include volleyball, basketball, aerobics, badminton and various programs through neighbourhood community associations.

Arts and Culture

The community thrives on its cultural activities, including the visual and performing arts, ethnic diversity, and celebration of community history and heritage. Annual music and dance festivals and the multicultural Motif highlight the year in July at Happy Valley Park. There are 21 arts and cultural organizations covering all activities from writing to dance clubs, craft associations, music and ballet.

Snowbirds: As Canadian Ambassadors, 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron, the Snowbirds are an excellent example of the professionalism and teamwork found throughout the Canadian Forces. This Canadian Military "flagship" is one of the true Canadian institutions that the entire nation can identify with. Moose Jaw has been home to the Snowbirds since 1971.

Moose Jaw Cultural Centre: The Moose Jaw Cultural Centre is located in the newly renovated Merchants Bank of Canada and the adjacent historic Capitol Theatre buildings. The Cultural Centre features the Mae Wilson Theatre, a 440 seat Proscenium Theatre, along with a rehearsal hall, dressing rooms, make-up rooms, green room, wardrobe room, and orchestra pit. The Cultural Centre also has workshop space, studio space and pottery space for all types of artists. Other features include the IMC Potash Gallery, a heritage display area, boardrooms, office space for arts groups, and a kitchenette.

Arts in Motion: A non-profit group connecting members of the arts and cultural community, Arts in Motion informs the community of upcoming events though e-mail notices and newsletters.

Yvette Moore Fine Art Gallery
History with a touch of class is presented in a stately 1910 grand one-storey brick building with its Greek Doric columns and arched windows. Designed as a Land Titles office for the Provincial Government by architects Van Egmond & Story, the "Regency Period" style was unique to Saskatchewan. This gem of architecture is a true witness to the material and workmanship evident in the early 1900s. The gallery and gift shop, with its elegant décor, interior copper doors and windows, 18 foot ceilings, plaster cornice trims and beams, stencilling and embossed wall-papered panels offers a breath-taking atmosphere to view the art and craft on display. The furnishings include some of the original steel cabinets dating back to the early 1900’s and much of Yvette’s antique collection.

Festival of Words: This annual festival celebrates and promotes the imaginative uses of language, oral, and written to entertain and enlighten audiences. The Festival provides inspiring and entertaining programs for a diversity of age and interest groups in many areas such as fiction, poetry drama, non-fiction, filmmaking, song, comedy, journalism, and storytelling. The festivals year-round programs include:

• Literacy
• Writing skill development
• Lifelong reading
• Imagination and creativity

Centre in the Park: This major facility was completed in 1992 as a major expansion of the original Public Library and Art Museum. The Centre combines a new library with art gallery, heritage museum, and performing arts theatre. Located in Crescent Park adjacent to the downtown core, the Centre is the operational base for the City's cultural community. The Public Library provides printed, video and audio materials for all ages, and sponsors classes, lectures and reading programs for children and adults. The Art Museum offers educational tours and hosts exhibitions of local, regional, national and international artists and art themes. Art classes are also offered. The Heritage Museum has a large collection of three thousand artifacts, including period costumes and Sioux and Cree bead work.

Downtown Heritage District: The downtown area of Moose Jaw features historic architecture from the late 1800s to 1920. Moose Jaw has the largest heritage district in Canada between Winnipeg and Vancouver. Several commercial and residential properties have been restored and are in use as restaurants, offices, and commercial retail space. The City and Business Improvement District have enhanced the area with courtyard brick sidewalks, facade improvement projects, and controlled signage to maintain the heritage ambience. Historic Walking Tours are offered and co-ordinated through the Art Museum.

Murals of Moose Jaw: The City commissioned a major outdoor murals project in 1989. There are now 46 quality mural paintings and sculpture depicting heritage scenes and celebrating local culture. The murals are concentrated in the heritage district of downtown Moose Jaw.

The Moose Jaw Trolley Company: The Moose Jaw Trolley Company builds on the rich history of Moose Jaw by replicating one of the original electric cable trolleys that were operational from 1911-1932. The Moose Jaw Trolley Company offers a guided historic tour of Moose Jaw. The tour guides will point out and provide details on the murals, historic homes and businesses, interesting facts and legends, and tour through exquisite parkland. Trolley runs May to October, actual start dates vary upon the weather.

Exhibition Grounds and Hometown Fair: The Exhibition Board operates a major City owned facility for the annual Hometown Fair in June, livestock shows, rodeos, and horse shows.

Cranberry Rose: a unique shop offering a wide selection of unique gifts and ladies and children's clothes. Located right in the downtown core, Cranberry Rose is within walking distance of many other attractions within the city.

Lasting Impressions: Saskatchewan's largest craft mall, featuring an abundance of local talent. A shopper's lounge contains a kids play area and a husband drop-off centre. Homemade fudge is also available for purchase.

Claybank Brick Plant National Historic Site: The Claybank Brick Plant has remained virtually unchanged from the day it opened in 1912. Unique tours are offered that deal with the brick making process, horse-drawn wagon rides to clay pits, and children's activities with a historical perspective.

Galaxy Cinemas: A moviegoers dream, Galaxy Cinemas offers comfortable stadium seating, digital surround sound, five giant screens and the latest movies. Galaxy Cinema has refreshments of all types and special occasion packages.

Casino Moose Jaw: The casino celebrates Moose Jaw’s colourful history with an art-deco look inspired by ‘The Roaring Twenties’. The facility has over 200 slot machines and has popular table games, including Blackjack, Roulette, and Let It Ride. The casino is located on Fairford Street East.

Moose Jaw Art Museum: Open year round. Heritage Gallery exhibits highlight early history of Moose Jaw and region, including a large period clothing collection. Norma Lang Gallery hosts changing art exhibits of local, national, and international artists. Located in Crescent Park, Athabasca and Langdon in the lower level of the public library.

Tunnels of Moose Jaw: These underground tunnels, rumoured to have been built by the Chinese in the late 1800s, and later used by prohibition rumrunners, such as Al Capone to smuggle liquor without police detection. Historic tours include ‘The Chicago Connection’ and ‘Passage to Fortune’.

Western Development Museum/History of Transportation: The theme "Story of Transportation" traces history relating to aviation, railways, surface and water travel on the prairies. On display, there are a collection of antique automobiles, snowmobiles, and vintage aircraft. There is also a Snowbird Gallery and the only shortline steam railway functioning in Saskatchewan. Gift shop, picnic tables, and ample free parking are available. The museum is open year-round.

Briercrest Museum: Set in an old country store from the early part of the century, this museum exhibits pictures, history and writings of the prairie poetess Edna Jacques. Area tours are also available for other points of interest in and around Briercrest. Open May 1 - September 30.

Sukanen Ship & Pioneer Village Museum: The dream of seamen who wanted to go home, the Sukanen ship stands as one of the strangest sights in the Canadian west. A marvel of ingenuity, the ship is a monument to the indomitable human spirit of the Canadian pioneer. Visit the General Store, the Town Hall, and the Printing Shop on Main Street. Reminisce about school days past in the Schoolhouse. Stroll along the wooden boardwalk, discover shops and businesses typical of small-town Saskatchewan.

Chaplin Interpretative Centre: Also known as the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve, there are over 30 species of shorebirds including sanderling, American avocet, and the endangered piping plover. There are viewing towers, an interpretative centre, and tourist information. Open May - September.

Burrowing Owls: Burrowing Owls have been on the Endangered Species List for Saskatchewan since 1995. Their numbers have been diminishing due to pesticide use, vehicular death, predator strain, the cycle of prey species, migration stress and, most important, the destruction of their home habitat in Saskatchewan native prairie. Within five years, scientists studying these owls believe that they will no longer exist in the wild in our province.

The Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretative Centre (SBOIC) was first opened in 1997 to allow visitors to view owls that nested within the racetrack of the Moose Jaw Exhibition. Visitors from across Canada, the United States and overseas have toured the Centre to find out more about the endangered Burrowing Owl. The Centre's location provides a rare opportunity for guests to observe these tiny owls in their natural habitat. Over the past few years, the Centre and its programming has expanded.

House of Prairie Memories: Located in Belle Plaine. An original 1918 Eaton home, which was relocated. This house has restored antiques, collectibles, gifts and crafts. Traditional food and drink available on site and a panoramic view of the Saskatchewan prairie from the living room and deck. Open April 1 – December 31.

Rouleau and District Museum: This museum has a large compliment of pioneer artifacts and antiques on display. There is also an old school house, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool house, threshers, old tractors, and hand-feed balers highlight some of the many historical pieces that can be viewed.

Public Transportation

Moose Jaw Transit System and Special Needs Bus Service (306) 694-4488 (refer to transit map and schedule, pages 1•10 and 1•11 on Maps Page under About Us)

Local Media and Communications

Newspaper:
Moose Jaw Times Herald Moose Jaw This Week

Radio:
CHAB 800
Country 100 CILG
CJAW 103

Television:
Local:	CFRE Global Regina
	CKCK CTV Regina
	CBKT CBC Regina
	CBFT CBC French Saskatoon
Cable:	Shaw Cablesystems
	Image Wireless Comm. Inc.
	SaskTel Max
Direct to Home:	Bell ExpessVu
	Star Choice

Churches

Spiritual services are offered through a wide variety of churches representing a large number of denominations.