On September 14, 2024, Batteaux Park was officially renamed in honour of Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala, a member of the Barrie community and the Ontario Provincial Police. In 2022, Greg bravely lost his life in the line of duty. Greg often used the park to train.
Fitness Circuit
Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala often used Batteaux Park, as it was then called, to train. In memory of Greg, a new fitness circuit was installed in 2024, inspired by the Ontario Police College Fitness Test (Pin Test). The fitness circuit includes a push-up station, sit-up and curl-up benches, reach test box, and a 20-meter shuttle run.
Food Forest
Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala Park features a food forest: a diverse area of plants, mostly edible, that are planted together and work as an ecosystem to promote biodiversity and provide diverse fresh food, while supporting a sustainable and environmentally friendly local food system.
Community Garden
Community gardens are outdoor spaces on designated public lands where Barrie residents meet to grow and care for vegetables and flowers, and where the gardeners pay a small annual fee to register and rent their own plot and take initiative and responsibility for organizing, maintaining and managing the garden area. Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala Park hosts one of six community gardens in Barrie.
About Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala
Hero in Life | October 31, 1994–December 27, 2022
Greg was raised in Barrie, Ontario, where he actively participated in sports during his time at St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School. He later pursued his education at York University and joined the Canadian Armed Forces. Greg often used Batteaux Park, as it was then called, to train.
Provincial Constable Pierzchala began his career with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) as a Special Constable with the Queen’s Park Detachment in 2019. In 2021, he was hired as a recruit with the OPP, fulfilling his long-term dream of becoming a police officer. With honour, Greg served his community as a member of the OPP, until he bravely lost his life in the line of duty at the age of 28 in Haggersville.
Remembered as an honest man, devoted to making positive impacts, Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala Park stands as a tribute to Greg's memory, serving the community in his honour.
