Waterfront Features
At the heart of the city, Barrie’s waterfront is a major attraction for residents and tourists. Spanning more than 5km, the waterfront is yours to experience! Check out the
Waterfront Features map to help plan your trip.
Playgrounds & Waterfront Fitness Equipment Closed
The City of Barrie continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing precautionary measures to combat the spread of the virus and encourage
social distancing .
In consultation with the
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, all City of Barrie municipal playground equipment and waterfront fitness equipment will be closed to public access.
Signs are being installed in all the parks with playgrounds and the fitness equipment along the waterfront trail. The dog off leash parks remain open at this time. However, signage is being placed at both sites reminding visitors to use extra precaution during this time.
These measures are in place because the equipment cannot be regularly sanitized and will further promote
social distancing as recommended by Public Health. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit recommends that while outside you make sure to avoid crowds and maintain a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from those around you.
This is a serious situation and we need to all come together to adhere to the direction from public health.
The features outlined below are situated within the public space from Johnson’s Beach to Tyndale Park, between Kempenfelt Bay and the roadway.
Food & Beverage
The Centennial Beach Concession and Scoops & Cones ice cream hut offer seasonal service at waterfront locations: in Centennial Park and near the
marina, respectively.
The City periodically offers
bidding opportunities for vendors to offer goods or services along the waterfront, and is committed to securing products and services that provide significant value to stakeholders.
Recreation Amenities
For Onshore Activities
| Beach Volleyball | Courts located at Centennial Park &
Tyndale Beach |
| Skating & Hockey | The
Centennial Park Community Ice Rink is seasonally open for pleasure skating and hockey. |
| Basketball | The Centennial Park rink doubles as a twin basketball court in the warmer months. |
| Fitness |
Outdoor fitness equipment is located at 6 areas around the bay (between Heritage Park and the Southshore Community Centre), offering visitors of all ages and abilities the opportunity to get active while enjoying the views.
Fitness areas generously sponsored by
CSR,
Napoleon,
Downtown Barrie,
NetGain,
Barrie Press,
DriveWise,
Skipwith,
DV Systems,
PyroPhobic Systems Ltd.,
TNR Doors,
Busch Systems, and
BDO. |
| Walking / Cycling | The Waterfront Trail spans approximately 6.7km around the lake, offering beautiful views and opportunities to walk, run, rollerblade, cycle, and more! |
For Offshore Activities
| Boating & Sailing | The
Marina and
Tiffin Boat Launch are available for boat owners.
Chances ‘R’ Sailing Excursions operating out of the Bayfield Basin, offers tours of beautiful Kempenfelt Bay. |
| Canoeing & Kayaking |
Happy Paddling Canoe & Kayak Rentals operates out of Centennial Beach. |
| Inflatable Water Park |
SPLASH ON, a 13,000 square foot inflatable waterpark off Centennial Beach. |
| Paddleboarding |
Northern SUP operating out of Centennial Beach and Heritage Park, offers standup paddleboard lessons and rentals. |
| Wakeboarding | Surf, Wake, Ski offers wakeboarding & wakesurfing rentals, lessons and summer camps. |
| The City offers
bidding opportunities for vendors to offer their goods or services along the waterfront. Barrie is committed to securing the best products and services that provide significant value. The successful vendors listed above will help you explore offshore. |
Meridian Place & Memorial Square
Connecting the downtown corridor with Barrie's beautiful waterfront,
Meridian Place and Memorial Square provide the perfect place to enjoy some of the best vistas Barrie has to offer. Enjoy an unobstructed view of Kempenfelt Bay from Memorial Square or kick back on any of the three patios that hug the tree-lined promenade. Check out upcoming events and plan your visit at:
meridianplace.downtownbarrie.ca
Heritage
The
Discovering the Waterfront Self-Guided Tour is one of seven
Heritage Barrie walking tours. It follows Lakeshore Drive between Memorial Square and the
Southshore Community Centre (approx walking time: 83 minutes). Historic locations along the waterfront are indicated by
six interpretive plaques that share insight into Barrie's history, and the Waterfront Heritage Trail includes 11 interpretive stations, each with a different historical theme, that tell the story of Barrie’s past with a journey from the last ice age to the present.
Art
The Spirit Catcher is part of the MacLaren Art Centre’s permanent collection and has been a focal point at the waterfront since 1987. The Sea Serpent serves as the companion piece to the Spirit Catcher, and is the first large donation accepted into the City’s collection by the
Public Art Committee.
Facilities
City facilities along the waterfront include the
Bayfield Basin Transient Marina and Marina facilities, the
Southshore Community Centre, and washrooms in some beaches and parks (outlined below).
Beaches
Five beaches are located around the bay: Centennial, Johnson’s, Minet’s Point, Tyndale, and Wilkins. Each summer, lifeguards are on duty and a
PFD Loan Service is available on Centennial & Johnson’s beaches.
Parks
| Allandale Station Park | |
Along Lakeshore Dr. between the Allandale GO StationSouthshore Community Centre
Allandale Station
Park is a picturesque waterfront setting featuring biking & walking paths, and nearby
parking. |
| Centennial Park & Beach | |
Lakeshore Dr. between Bayfield & Tiffin Streets
Centennial
Park and
Beach is the most popular destination along Barrie's waterfront and features the Rotary Club's
fountain landmark, accessible
playground equipment, biking & walking paths, picnic tables, washrooms, concession stand, flower gardens, beach volleyball courts,
boat launch, and
parking.
Washroom hours: daily 7am–11pm May 1–Oct. 31.
From Nov 1–May 1 the family washrooms on the west side of the building will remain open 7 days a week
from 8am–5pm. |
| Heritage Park | |
Lakeshore Dr. between Bayfield & Mulcaster Streets
Heritage
Park features a gazebo,
water feature, walkway/paths, changerooms & washrooms, duck pond, gardens, transient boat docking, and
parking. |
| Gables Park | |
Northeast of Bay Lane on Tollendal Mill Rd
Gables
Park features wooden trails and picnic shelter. |
| Johnson’s Beach & Park | |
2 Johnson St.
Johnson’s
Beach and
Park is close to the
North Shore Trail and features washrooms, change rooms and
parking.
Washroom hours: daily 7am–11pm May through Thanksgiving weekend only. |
| Kempenfelt Park | |
South side of Kempenfelt Dr. between Duckworth St. & St. Vincent Square
Kempenfelt
Park has a picturesque waterfront setting close to the
North Shore Trail, and features playground equipment. |
| Military Heritage Park | |
South shore of Kempenfelt Bay beside the
Southshore Community Centre
Honouring our military, the Military Heritage Park symbolically references Canada and the City of Barrie’s military history, and relationship with CFB Borden, by including landforms distinct to each era of overseas and national military commitment. |
| Minet’s Point Park & Beach | |
6 Brennan Ave.
Minet’s Point
Park and
Beach is a short walk from biking and walking
paths and features playground equipment, picnic shelter,
parking and washrooms.
Washroom hours:
daily 7am–11pm May through Thanksgiving
weekendonly. |
| Pioneer Park | |
West side at the end of Cox Mill Rd.
One of Barrie’s smallest parks, Pioneer
Park features picturesque views of Kempenfelt Bay. |
| Sam Cancilla Park | |
South side of Dunlop St. E between Mulcaster St. & Poyntz St.
Sam Cancilla
Park has picturesque waterfront views, is close to the
North Shore Trail, and features playground equipment and a picnic shelter. |
| South Shore Park | |
North of Lakeshore Dr. between Tiffin St. & the
Southshore Community Centre
South Shore
Park is along the biking and walking
paths and features Rotary Fish Habitat Islands, picnic shelter, washrooms and nearby
parking. |
| Tollendale Woods Park | |
40 Royal Oak Dr
With roadside parking beside the park, Tollendale Woods
Park features playground equipment, picnic area and bench seating. |
| Tyndale Park & Beach | |
On the lake side of Tyndale Rd, east of Cox Mill Rd & north of Tollendal Mill Rd
Tyndale
Park and
Beach features playground equipment, washrooms and change rooms, picnic shelter, beach volleyball courts and
parking.
Washroom hours:
daily 7am–11pm May through Thanksgiving weekend only. |
| Features listed are seasonal. Please review the
Park Regulations. |
Trails & Pathways
Trails and pathways surround Barrie waterfront, connecting all of the amazing features on this page. These trails offer beautiful views and opportunities to walk, run, rollerblade, cycle and more. The Waterfront Trail is Barrie's most popular pathway, running approximately 6.7km around the lake. It connects to the
North Shore Trail and also becomes part of the
Trans Canada Trail.
