We're planning for a growing city!

Barrie’s population is expected to reach 298,000 people by 2051. While Barrie is proud of its 850+ acres of parkland, it’s time to plan for the future.

Parks are essential to community well-being: a well-designed park system enhances quality of life, supports the economy, and helps build a healthy community. One of Council’s Strategic Priorities is to create a thriving community, including expanding and maximizing access to parks and recreation opportunities.

Imagine what’s possible. What does the future of Barrie’s parks look like for you and your family?

About the Parks Strategic Plan:

The Parks Strategic Plan will create a framework for how parks and outdoor recreation facilities in Barrie are developed and improved, including:

  • A vision for parks to support Barrie’s growth;
  • Planning for the renewal of existing parks and development of new parks;
  • Guiding how parks and outdoor recreation facilities are planned, used, and managed into the future.

This plan will deliver a community-informed and sustainability-focused roadmap for future parkland and outdoor recreation services in Barrie.

A two-phased approach:

The City has undertaken a two-phased approach to preparing a new Parks Strategic Plan. The 2024 Parkland Needs Assessment Report is the final product of Phase 1. The Parkland Needs Assessment Report is intended to provide background data that will support the preparation of the current phase, the full Parks Strategic Plan.

This current phase will address a number of items that lie outside the scope of the Parkland Needs Assessment Report, specifically:

  • a full slate of recommendations for the use of funds generated through payments of cash-in-lieu (such as what percentage should be allocated to acquiring land, to park development projects, and so on).
  • recommendations about how community values, principles, and desires should be incorporated into the planning of future parks and park redevelopment projects; and
  • recommendations regarding the planning and distribution of outdoor recreation facilities and other amenities, as these relate to projected population growth.

SURVEYS

CLOSED: This survey is now closed.

Parks Strategic Plan Public Survey

This survey was accepting feedback until March 22, 2026. Thank you for participating!

Barrie’s population is expected to reach 298,000 people by 2051. While Barrie is proud of its 850+ acres of parkland(External link)(External link), it’s time to plan for the future. This will ensure every resident has access to nature close to home and the health, recreation, and quality of life of residents are supported.

The Barrie Parks Strategic Plan is meant to prepare for growth and changing trends in play, sports, and recreation interests across the city. Imagine what’s possible. What does the future of Barrie’s parks look like for you and your family?

Survey participants were eligible for a chance to win one of the following prizes*:

*Prize rules and regulations: Winner must be a city of Barrie resident. City of Barrie staff can participate but are not eligible to win.

Hard copies of the survey were available upon request.

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