We're planning for a growing city!
Barrie’s population is expected to reach 298,000 people by 2051. As the city grows, parks must grow with it.
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.
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Get involved!
Imagine what’s possible. What does the future of Barrie’s parks look like for you and your family? Share your feedback through any of the following consultation opportunities:
- Complete the online survey until March 22, 2026 to be eligible for a chance to win one of the following prizes*:
- $150 pre-paid credit card
- recPass Membership (valid for three months) Four available to win
- Drop into a pop-up community engagement event at one of the following locations, dates, and times:
- East Bayfield Community Centre (80 Livingstone St. E)
- Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 9 am to 12 pm
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 4 to 8 pm
- Peggy Hill Team Community Centre (171 Mapleton Ave.)
- Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 9 am to 12 pm
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 4 to 8 pm
- Use the mapping tool:
- Add a pin to the map on a park that you would like to provide feedback on. Is there a place that requires improvements? Or, leave a comment about a place that has provided great programming or facilities that could be repeated elsewhere in the city. (Closes March 22, 2026)
- Sign up for future project updates by clicking "Subscribe"
*Prize rules and regulations: Winner must be a city of Barrie resident. City of Barrie staff can participate but are not eligible to win.
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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.
We're planning for a growing city!
Barrie’s population is expected to reach 298,000 people by 2051. As the city grows, parks must grow with it.
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.
________________________________________________________________________________
Get involved!
Imagine what’s possible. What does the future of Barrie’s parks look like for you and your family? Share your feedback through any of the following consultation opportunities:
- Complete the online survey until March 22, 2026 to be eligible for a chance to win one of the following prizes*:
- $150 pre-paid credit card
- recPass Membership (valid for three months) Four available to win
- Drop into a pop-up community engagement event at one of the following locations, dates, and times:
- East Bayfield Community Centre (80 Livingstone St. E)
- Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 9 am to 12 pm
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 4 to 8 pm
- Peggy Hill Team Community Centre (171 Mapleton Ave.)
- Saturday, February 21, 2026 from 9 am to 12 pm
- Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 4 to 8 pm
- Use the mapping tool:
- Add a pin to the map on a park that you would like to provide feedback on. Is there a place that requires improvements? Or, leave a comment about a place that has provided great programming or facilities that could be repeated elsewhere in the city. (Closes March 22, 2026)
- Sign up for future project updates by clicking "Subscribe"
*Prize rules and regulations: Winner must be a city of Barrie resident. City of Barrie staff can participate but are not eligible to win.
________________________________________________________________________________
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.
