Operations Department

• Traffic and BIA Downtown performs traffic sign installation and maintenance, guide rails, rail crossing maintenance, downtown BIA operations and maintenance, as well as road patrol operations, and after hour issues and emergency response
• Road Surfaces performs asphalt and concrete repairs on over 1,600 km of roads, 53 bridges, and over 600 km of sidewalks, curb and interlocking brick
• Roadside Maintenance includes street sweeping, walkway maintenance, garbage removal from roadside, as well as fence and retaining wall maintenance
• Stormwater Operations includes operation and maintenance for over 400 km of stormwater conveyance, 144 ha of treatment facilities as well as over 100 km of natural watercourses
• Technical, Rail and Stormwater Operations provides technical operational and maintenance guidance for infrastructure, rail and stormwater operations including administration of connected technologies and hardware, contract administrators of large scale contracts for the department, as well as oversees the operation of the Barrie-Collingwood Railway on 35 km of track to maintain compliance with the Provincial regulations
• Stores provides inventory management for supplies and parts used for Operations staff, including receiving shipments from suppliers, managing inventory levels and responding to new inventory requests from staff

The Fleet Services branch plays a critical role supporting the City’s operations, maintaining the City’s fleet of over 1,000 pieces of rolling and miscellaneous equipment. This includes everything from Barrie Fire and Emergency Services vehicles to landfill machinery, snowplows, sanders, small engine equipment and tools used by the Parks division. These assets are vital to delivering a wide range of essential public services.

The primary objective of the Fleet Services division is to ensure all fleet users can deliver their services safely and efficiently. This responsibility includes managing fleet controls, policies, and procedures across the City. Key areas of focus include the safe operation of vehicles and equipment, compliance with legislative requirements, and fueling protocols.

The Fleet Services division is committed to ensuring all users receive the quality and service levels defined within our service agreement. This guarantees all vehicles and equipment operate as intended and expected, and support our City's needs effectively.

Parks Operations maintains and operates various locations throughout the City including:

• Over 600 acres of parks, playgrounds and open spaces
• 2,387 acres of natural heritage areas
• 77 acres of boulevards and right-of-ways
• 36 acres of grounds maintenance at facilities and recreation centres
• Over 500 acres of mowed grass 
• Sport areas including 106 playgrounds, 33 tennis courts, 18 pickleball courts, 25 basketball courts, 26 baseball fields and 48 soccer fields
• Skate parks and disc golf course
• 4 beaches and 2 splash pads
• Pavillions and community gardens and orchards
• 2 dog off leash recreation areas
• 16km of multi-use paved pathways and naturalized walking trails
• Parking lots, bridges, stairs, park signage, and so much more!

Horticulture installs and maintains 7 acres of floral displays throughout the City including:

• 325 shrub and perennial beds
• 23 annual floral displays
• 11 Barrie gateway sign gardens
• 300 planters, 290 hanging planters and bridge baskets

The City greenhouse grows 95,000 annuals and 40,000 perennials each year.

Forestry maintains programs including urban forestry strategies and planning, tree by-laws, supporting the Development Services department, maintaining tree inventory and preservations reviews, forest health monitoring, tree disease and pest management as well as community engagement and volunteer programs

Our forestry inventory includes:

• 35,000 street boulevard trees
• 6,500 inventoried park trees
• 7,000 pruning and inspection requests for street trees
• Planting new trees annually
• Maintaining 1,997 acres of forested areas, 145 km of forest edge backing onto residential properties and 74 km of natural area trails
• Foot bridges, boardwalks, trailside maintenance and more!