Barrie is a 2026 ParticipACTION Community Challenge Finalist!
The City of Barrie has been selected as one of only 40 community finalists across Canada in the 2026 ParticipACTION Community Challenge, a national initiative recognizing communities that inspire and support active living through recreation, sport and physical activity. Over 375 communities participated in this year’s challenge.
Barrie earned finalist status through its commitment to creating accessible and inclusive opportunities for residents to get active during June is Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM). Throughout June, Recreation and Culture Services, together with community partners, offered a variety of programs, events and activities to encourage participation from residents of all ages and abilities.
This year, Barrie tracked more than 250,000 participant experiences through recreation programs, community events and physical activity initiatives across the city, demonstrating the community's strong commitment to health, wellness and active living. Being named a finalist places Barrie among Canada's leading active communities and recognizes the collective efforts of residents, community organizations, staff, and volunteers who continue to prioritize recreation and physical activity.
The winner of the title for Canada’s Most Active Community receives the grand prize of $100,000 to support physical activity and sport initiatives. In addition to the prize for the national winner, there will also be regional prizes of $5,000 to $10,000 awarded to the most active community in each of the remaining 12 provinces and territories. ParticipACTION will announce the national and regional prize winners on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. Stay tuned!
June is Recreation & Parks Month in Ontario! The movement promotes the benefits of recreation and parks for physical, social, and environmental health.
Residents could play every day throughout the month of June while supporting the ParticipACTION Community Challenge. The Community Challenge is a national physical activity and sport initiative that encourages everyone in Canada to get active throughout June in search of Canada’s Most Active Community, which will win $100,000 to support local sport and physical activity initiatives.
New recPASS members who signed up during June received a free City of Barrie gym bag, while quantities lasted.
Highlighted Events
Recreation program cancellations are posted at barrie.ca/RecCancellations.