Walking Paths & New Story Stroll Signage at Scott Park!

Scott Park has long been a cherished green space in the heart of Porcupine Plain. While its natural charm has endured, time has taken its toll on some of the park’s features. Recognizing the importance of this space, the Town of Porcupine Plain has been taking steps to revitalize Scott Park and enhance its role as a welcoming, inclusive community hub.

In 2021, Knudsen Honey generously donated two picnic tables, which helped make the park more inviting. Around the same time, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town partnered with the Public Library to launch the Story Stroll — an outdoor active literacy program designed to keep children and adults engaged and reading while traditional programming at the Library was on hold. Since then, the Story Stroll has become a much-loved feature of the park, encouraging learning and connection in an outdoor setting.

As part of ongoing efforts to support community wellness and accessibility, we’re thrilled to announce the installation of a new multi-use pathway through Scott Park! This new pathway will improve access to the Story Stroll and playground areas, make the park more usable for families with strollers and individuals using wheelchairs or mobility aids, and support our community’s designation as an Age-Friendly Community by enhancing walkability and adding additional benches for rest and relaxation.

This enhancement directly responds to feedback from the 2021 Community Recreation Survey, in which residents expressed a strong desire for accessible outdoor spaces, walking and bike paths, and ways to enjoy nature and improve wellness. 

The new pathway also allowed for the installation of permanent, weather-resistant visually pleasing Story Stroll signage, replacing the temporary tree-mounted signs. This upgrade will enhance programming, including weekly story walks as part of the Summer Play Program and the cultural and bilingual displays held during Culture Days each fall.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada’s Active Transportation Fund and the Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Association’s Parks for All grant, whose contributions made these improvements possible.  Special thanks to Brock Riley and his Grade 10 shop class, who designed and constructed the new Story Stroll signs, to Marv Pickering Bobcat Services for drilling holes and placing posts, and to Mr. Riley and the Town staff for completing the installation of the signs.  

A heartfelt thank you also goes out to Janice and Kendra Krietemeyer, who took it upon themselves to beautify the view from Janice’s window and, in doing so, brought even more beauty to Scott Park.  Their thoughtful planting of lilies and marigolds around the park sign adds a personal, colourful touch that will be enjoyed by all who pass by.

These enhancements are part of a larger vision to create a vibrant, accessible, and inclusive green space where residents can gather, play, read, and enjoy the outdoors.  We look forward to welcoming you to a renewed Scott Park!

Accessibility Improvements at Porcupine Museum & Porcupine Place Sports Grounds

The Porcupine Plain & District Museum has been making great strides towards improving accessibility for all visitors.  Over the past few years, new ramps have been added to the outbuildings, and this year a new sidewalk and a designated accessible loading/unloading area have been installed, which will greatly improve access to and use of the backyard and outbuildings.

This project was made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibilities Fund (Small Projects) and the Museum Association of Saskatchewan, as well as the generous fundraising efforts of the Museum board and Parkland Co-op.  Special thanks to Dave Steiestol for completing the installation.

And that’s not all — thanks to the New Horizons for Seniors Program funding, accessible loading and unloading zones will soon be added to the ball diamonds and race tracks at the Sports Grounds. 

   
We are excited to keep making our community more inclusive and accessible for all!

For nine decades, Porcupine Plain Sports Days has been a cornerstone of our community, bringing families, friends, and visitors together to celebrate tradition, competition, and camaraderie.  What started in 1935 as a fundraiser for the Red Cross Out-Post Hospital has grown into a time-honoured event that continues to draw crowds year after year.

The first Sports Day was held in Dick Cooper’s pasture, raising $96 for the hospital – a significant sum during that time.  One of the most memorable highlights of that event was a six-foot Boston cream pie, created by local baker Les Stevenson.  Baked in a clay oven, the massive dessert sat on a sheet-metal pie plate and required 72 bananas, 20 gallons of milk, 120 eggs, 2 ½ gallons of whipping cream, and 20 pounds of sugar!  A total of 480 slices were served, making it a true community feast!

For many years, Sports Days was organized and operated by the Porcupine Plain Lions Club, who played a vital role in maintaining and expanding the event.  The club worked tirelessly to ensure the tradition continued, adding new attractions and keeping the event vibrant for the community.  However, as membership declined, the future of Sports Days became uncertain.

In 2007, a small but determined group of volunteers stepped up, recognizing that losing the event would be a huge loss for both the community and tourism in Porcupine Plain.  With no budget, but plenty of dedication, they not only kept the event alive but made major improvements to the Sports Grounds.  This new committee rebranded the event as Quilly Willy Days, aligning it with the Canada Day long weekend.  Over the years, community groups and volunteers have worked together to ensure a full lineup of activities, delicious food, and an exciting atmosphere. 

This year, we have put together a collage which captures 90 years of Sports Days memories, from chariot and chuckwagon races to slo-pitch tournaments, kids’ games and rides, and our spectacular fireworks show.  This tribute to the countless volunteers, athletes and spectators who have kept this tradition alive for nearly a century will be on display in the quonset during Sports Days on Saturday, July 28th & Sunday, July 29th, along with copies of old newspaper articles from the 60s to the 90s!

We hope you can join us this year to celebrate this milestone, to honour the past, celebrate our present, and look forward to an exciting future! 

Here’s to 90 years of community spirit – and many more to come!