Walkway along River Landing to be named after Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is being honoured by her adopted hometown in at least two ways this spring.

Saskatoon city council voted unanimously Monday in favour of naming a stretch of the River Landing walkway after the folk music singer-songwriter.

The path along the south side of Spadina Crescent, between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue will be named “Joni Mitchell Promenade.”

“This city has to be proud of producing some great people,” Mayor Charlie Clark said, noting Mitchell often sang about her experiences in Saskatoon.

The mayor also addressed some public concern that Mitchell may not appreciate the city.

He said a longtime friend of Mitchell told him the singer thinks fondly of Saskatoon, and she was “very pleased” when she heard about the possibility of the promenade.

Clark added that naming a street after Mitchell instead, didn’t seem right.

“She sang about paving paradise and putting up parking lots … so let’s name somewhere where people are walking,” he said.

The University of Saskatchewan also supports the move.

University Secretary Beth Bilson told council the naming would be a great opportunity for collaboration with the U of S, which is bestowing an honorary degree to Mitchell during their spring convocation ceremonies.

Mitchell was born in Fort Macleod, Alta. but settled in Saskatoon with her family at a young age. She began started out singing in Saskatoon clubs, which launched a career spanning more than 40 years.

She has won nine Grammy awards and three Junos, and was considered “one of the greatest songwriters ever” by Rolling Stone magazine in 2002.