Parkland Valley District Spotlight


Celebrating Community Successes

By: Darla Batke

Date: July, 2026

Issue: 10

Regional Parks: Quiet Places, Shared Spaces, and Local Experiences Worth Exploring

Sturgis & District Regional Park - Lady Lake Site

There’s something to be said for the places we don’t have to travel far to reach. The places where you can slow down a bit, take your time, and spend a few hours, a full weekend, or even an entire summer enjoying what’s already close to home. Across the Parkland Valley District, our regional parks offer exactly that kind of experience.

June is Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Month, a time to recognize the role parks and recreation play in supporting healthy, connected communities. It is also a reminder of the spaces that already exist right here in our district and the value they bring throughout the year.

Ituna & District Regional Park

Melville Regional Park

Melville Regional Park

Leslie Beach Regional Park

Regional parks are often smaller in scale, but that is part of what gives them their unique character. They are supported by a mix of volunteers, local boards, and dedicated employees who all play a role in maintaining, operating, and enhancing these spaces. Together, they help create parks where people can gather, relax, and enjoy the outdoors in a welcoming environment.


Across the district, no two regional parks are exactly the same. Some offer sandy beaches and swimming areas where people spend warm summer days by the water. Others include pools that become gathering places for lessons, recreation, and casual afternoons in the sun. Many offer camping opportunities whether visitors are staying for a night, a weekend, or longer, building routines and traditions over the course of the season. Golf courses, walking trails, playgrounds, and open green spaces add even more variety to the experiences available.


There are also parks that offer something a little different, from kayak, canoe, and pedal boat rentals to organized programming such as outdoor movies, yoga in the park, swimming lessons, and seasonal community events. These activities often become highlights of the summer and bring people together.


What stands out when visiting our regional parks is the range of experiences they offer. Each park reflects its own community, its own landscape, and its own way of welcoming visitors, whether for activity, relaxation, or simply spending time outdoors.

Looking for places to explore? Check out our Parkland Valley District Map to discover sport, culture, and recreation opportunities across the district.

This summer, we have also been taking time to visit regional parks throughout the district. These visits provide an opportunity to connect with the people involved in each park, learn more about what they offer, and better understand how these spaces continue to evolve. Each conversation highlights the care and effort that goes into maintaining these parks and ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for everyone.


More than anything, regional parks highlight the value of local experiences. They are places where people can spend time outdoors without needing to travel far, where visitors can find both activity and quiet, and where communities naturally come together. Whether it is a weekend away, an afternoon at the beach or pool, or simply time spent outside, these spaces offer something for everyone.



As summer continues, it is worth remembering how much there is to explore close to home. Each regional park offers something a little different, and each visit has the potential to become something memorable in its own way.


Parkland Valley Spotlight highlights success stories in sport, culture, and recreation from across our District. Have a story to share? Let us know!

Parkland Valley Sport Culture and Recreation District is a non profit voluntary organization working with communities building capacity and creating a strong network of support through sport, culture, and recreation.


Recipients are encouraged to forward the Parkland Valley Insider! to other members of their organizations.


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Chelsey Exner

Executive Director

ph: (306) 786-6585

cexner@parklandvalley.ca

Wendy McLeod

Community Consultant

ph: (306) 786-6585

wmcleod@parklandvalley.ca

Darla Batke

Community Consultant

ph: (306) 786-6585

dbatke@parklandvalley.ca


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