Will Dwyer Park

Park Features

• Osmond ‘Ossie’ Rowe pedestrian bridge

  City Council passed a motion to name the bridge on September 12, 2016. The pedestrian bridge in Will Dwyer Park (previously Centennial Park South) was officially named in honour of Osmond "Ossie" Rowe on April 27, 2018.

  Learn about Municipal Naming

  About Osmond ‘Ossie’ Rowe

  Osmond 'Ossie' Rowe played an integral role in creating Barrie as it is today. A veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy and lifetime member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, Mr. Rowe was the City Solicitor for Barrie for nearly 50 years. He was a volunteer member of Barrie’s waterfront committee in the 1950’s and was instrumental in the decision to create Centennial Park and to establish the City of Barrie Marina. As a Heraldry Society of Canada member, he collaborated in designing Barrie’s Coat of Arms. He was also instrumental in persuading the Ontario Government to transform Barrie from a Town to a City in 1959. Mr. Rowe was appointed Queen’s Counsel and was the first recipient of the Professional Excellence Award of the Simcoe County Legal and Medical Association, and a recipient of the City of Barrie Sesquicentennial Award.

  Mr. Rowe supported the city as a volunteer with numerous organizations including the Barrie Community Concert Association, Barrie Harbour Committee, Barrie Lion’s Club, Barrie Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, Centennial Park Committee, Children’s Aid Society, Collier Street United Church, Kempenfelt Bay Development Committee, Navy League of Canada, and Simcoe County Legal Aid Committee.

• Waterfront Heritage Trail

  The Waterfront Heritage Trail runs through Will Dwyer Park. The trail is approximately six kilometres from White Oaks Road to Penetanguishene Road, offering an historical experience around the length of Barrie’s waterfront. 

  Get full Waterfront Heritage Trail Details