Open to the Outdoors: Explore parts of the Saskatoon area you've never seen before

How are you staying connected to the people you love? 

The pandemic has forced a lot of us outside, and that's a good thing. You may find yourself exploring parts of the city you've never seen before.

CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning with host Leisha Grebinski is starting a new series that gets us — and you — outside to explore our city and the area surrounding it. 

We'll help you see this place through new eyes because we are all looking at Saskatoon a bit differently in this pandemic.

Tune into Saskatoon Morning every Tuesday morning for Open to the Outdoors, an audio tour of some of our best outdoor spots with the unique people who set out to enjoy them regularly.

You can download episodes of the audio tour from the CBC Listen Page.

Nora Rittinger, cycling around Saskatoon

Nora Rittinger is OK with a line of mud up her back — you know the kind of streak you get from biking through slushy, muddy puddles?

 At 14 years old, Rittinger is an avid biker who uses two wheels to get pretty much everywhere. 

It has changed her perspective on Saskatoon and she's even found a way to enjoy living through a global pandemic.

Saskatoon Morning host Leisha Grebinski hikes alongside Lorenzo Apostol to one of his favourite places to connect with nature by the U of S

4 years ago

Duration 2:59

Apostol, a photographer, moved to Saskatoon from tropical Philippines and 15 years later still doesn’t take his new home for granted. He helps his followers live in awe of the nature surrounding them as well.

Julia Adamson, Richard St. Barbe Baker Park

To walk in a forest, most people think they'd have to make the two-and-a-half hour drive to Prince Albert National Park, but an urban forest that few people know about grows on the west side of the city.

Richard St. Barbe Baker Park is an afforestation area, where trees have been introduced, in Saskatoon that spans 340 acres. Julia Adamson is one of the founders of a non-profit that works to preserve and promote the park.

The pines, squirrels and chickadees have been keeping her company this pandemic, but it's also been a place of refuge as she cares for elderly loved ones.

Karla Williamson, near Dundurn

Karla Williamson was supposed to return home to Greenland to conduct research and visit family, but like so many others, she was forced to cancel those plans due to COVID-19.

The University of Saskatchewan education professor instead spent her sabbatical in the Blackstrap area, just outside of Saskatoon, walking trails cut by deer.

Living among nature and appreciating the landscape is an important part of her Inuit culture.

Lorenzo Apostol, South Saskatchewan River near U of S

Lorenzo Apostol isn't shy to admit he's amazed by snow and squirrels, even after living in Saskatoon for 15 years.

Apostol, who was born in the Philippines, spent his childhood in the sun where his family raised chickens. 

WATCH | Grebinski hike alongside Apostol to one of his favourite places to connect with nature:

Seeing the prairie landscape within the city limits excites him. His love of photography gets him out the door, even more so as we live through a global pandemic.

Weaver Park with Aditi Garg

Aditi Garg is a self-described outdoor enthusiast who loves cycling, skiing, canoeing, hiking and winter camping. She's also of Indian descent and has thought a lot about not seeing many people of colour doing so-called outdoorsy things. 

Is there a spot you'd add to the list? Email CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning at saskatoonmorning@cbc.ca or comment below!