Saskatoon’s Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue Centennial Project has received a Heritage Saskatchewan Award for Physical Heritage Conservation.

Next of Kin Memorial Avenue at Woodlawn Cemetary started in 1923 when 266 trees were planted for soldiers who died in World War I. A century later it has evolved to over 1200 trees dedicated in Saskatoon. It is the only living memorial left in Canada dedicated to the service and sacrifice of Canadian service personnel.

On June 18th this past summer hundreds of people took part in a centennial celebration and the City of Saskatoon news release says notably, the commemorative event saw the presence of nine veterans from World War II and the Korean War, five of whom are centenarians. The oldest among them aged 106 and was alive in 1923 when the Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue was established. During the ceremony, the Honourable Russell Mirasty, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, unveiled a commemorative plaque dedicated to the 100th anniversary,

The Next of Kin Memorial Avenue is a National Historic Site and for each tree and marker there is a story of a Canadian veteran. It runs from 33rd Street through the Woodlawn Cemetary gates and on to the Soldiers Cairn. Several organizations worked together to create a centennial celebration including the City of Saskatoon, the Decoration Day Service Committee, Saskatoon Heritage Society, Friends of the Forestry Farm House and Parks Canada.