Love locks showing up in Saskatoon

For some, they symbolize everlasting love. Others see them as a parasite on historic and cultural sites. Whatever your opinion may be, love locks have made their way to Saskatoon.

The Railway Bridge is where couples are choosing to show their love. On the metal grating surrounding the walkway, couples are writing or engraving their names and dates into padlocks, fastening them to the grating and throwing the keys into the South Saskatchewan River.

'Love locks usurp public spaces not designed for this purpose. And unfortunately, mostly, they are fragile, historical spaces.- Lisa Anselmo, co-founder of No Love Locks campaign.

It's a gesture Madeline Farden thinks is romantic. She goes by the locks during her morning walks.

"That's a great thing to do to seal your love or to show the world that you've met somebody and that you fell in love again. For me it's a promise."

But not everyone shares Farden's views. In cities across the world, love locks are causing damage to historic bridges.

In Paris, the Pont des Arts bridge is feeling the stress of thousands of love locks. Last June, the footbridge started to buckle under the weight of the locks. Panels of the bridge are also being replaced due to the weight.

Lisa Anselmo said bridges like the Pont des Arts were never designed to hold the weight of these locks. She is the co-founder of No Love Locks, a campaign started in January to free the bridges of Paris from love locks.

"Love locks usurp public spaces not designed for this purpose. And unfortunately, mostly, they are fragile, historical spaces. They really pay the price."

Most of the love locks in Saskatoon are dated within the past few months. Although the bridge is owned by Canadian Pacific, it said the locks are not its problem because the walkway is city property. A spokesperson with the City of Saskatoon said the City is looking into the issue.

Love Locks a hit with European tourists

The phenomenon of love locks exploded in 2006 when an Italian novel called "I Want You" was released. A couple in the story placed love locks to a bridge in Rome and people began to follow suit throughout Europe.

Cities such as Dublin, Moscow, and Rome have all dealt with love lock issues. In Moscow, iron trees were specially built to hold locks instead of being latched onto a bridge that crosses the Vodootvodny Canal. 

In Canada, city officials in Edmonton clamped down hard on love locks last November. 

Laura McNabb from Edmonton's Transportation Services explained why they were removed from the High Level Bridge: "The locks degrade the chain fence upon which they're hung. It makes it impossible to paint the bridge properly. They rust and they're a safety hazard if they fall from the bridge to the path beneath."

Whatever the fate of Saskatoon's love locks, Madeline Farden said the Railway Bridge is the perfect spot for them.

"It's up high and the view is beautiful. The weir and the water just flowing in abundance. It's just a great location for love."