Prioritizing Safety & Cleanliness in Barrie’s Parks and Public Spaces

Residents of Barrie choose to live here for many reasons, from our scenic parks, vibrant public spaces, and our stunning waterfront. These spaces are designed for all to enjoy, operating within the framework of our governing laws. Barrie City Council's strategic goal of Community Safety and a Thriving Community is focused on preserving this quality of life, ensuring residents continue to thrive in a city that prioritizes their safety and enjoyment.

The Challenge:

Lawlessness in our parks and public areas are affecting not only the safety of our city but also the peaceful enjoyment of these beloved spaces. Since recent court guidelines have restricted the City’s ability to remove individuals camping in parks if adequate shelter options are not available, it's crucial for the County of Simcoe, as the service provider, to find alternatives and ensure suitable shelter beds are available to individuals on a case-by-case basis. Together, we can achieve a balanced solution that benefits everyone in our community.

Council is NOT criminalizing homelessness. Our responsibility is to ensure that City-owned spaces are used for their intended purpose, in accordance with City bylaws, to maintain safety and accessibility for all residents.

Taking Action:

City Council has already made significant progress in restoring the safety and vibrancy of our parks and public spaces, including our downtown core. This is an ongoing effort, but several key actions have already been completed and others are currently underway:

• Working Collaboratively with Community Partners: The County of Simcoe oversees social housing, homelessness services, poverty reduction, and shelter retention programs in Barrie. Together, we are working on a balanced plan that provides accessible housing options and essential support for vulnerable residents, while upholding the safety and cleanliness of our community parks.
• Prioritizing Safety Near Schools and Childcare Services: Focusing park clean up efforts where kids frequent.
• Increased Funding for Barrie Police Presence: Allocated resources for 6 dedicated foot patrol officers downtown to enhance public safety and police visibility.
• Ended Needle Distribution at the Waterfront: Stopped distribution to address safety and cleanliness concerns at our waterfront.
• Stopped CNCC Prisoner Drop-Off at Barrie’s Bus Terminal: Successfully diverted over 377 individuals from being dropped off in downtown Barrie, ensuring enhanced safety for the community.
• Cleaned City-Owned Alleyways: Regular cleaning efforts to maintain safety and cleanliness in downtown alleyways.
• Ongoing Downtown Activation: Partnered with the Barrie BIA to host community-engaging events such as Open Air Dunlop, the Barrie Air Show, and Canada Day celebrations.
• Approved Community Safety & Well-Being Plan: Officially adopted a comprehensive plan to enhance safety across the city.
• Park Cleanups and Safety Enhancements: Cleaning up graffiti and trimming foliage to improve visibility and safety in accordance with Applied Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles.

Park Cleanup Projects:

• Queens Park – Ongoing
• Berczy Park – Ongoing

Next Steps:

We are dedicated to restoring affected parks to their full potential, ensuring they fulfil their intended purposes—whether that’s playing baseball, strolling through green spaces, enjoying playground equipment, or throwing a frisbee around.

Ensuring our parks remain safe, clean, and accessible is essential for the well-being of our community. Our goal is to restore these spaces for the enjoyment of families, seniors, and children.

Watch for a Telephone Town Hall hosted by Mayor Nuttall coming soon.