Waterfront Strategic Plan Update

October 4, 2023 Update: The Waterfront Strategic Plan Update motion 23-G-207 regarding the Plan, along with multiple amendments, was passed on October 4, 2023 by Barrie City Council. The related Sea Cadets motion 23-G-206, along with multiple amendments, was also passed on the same night.

The City of Barrie is undertaking an update to its 2015 Waterfront and Marina Strategic Plan (excluding the marina portion of the plan). The project team, consisting of City staff and a consultant, has conducted research and completed community consultation. On June 21, 2023 Council approved motion 23-G-152 to defer the Waterfront Strategic Plan to September and explore alternative sites for the Sea Cadets.

The final Waterfront Strategic Plan Update is being presented to Barrie City Council in 2023 for consideration.

Waterfront Strategic Plan Update and upcoming Council meetings

The Waterfront Strategic Plan Update document and its associated appendices is posted. It can be found on the right-hand side of this page under "Documents" or can be viewed below:

• Waterfront Strategic Plan Update (full document - compressed file)
• Appendix A: Policy Context
• Appendix B: Focus and Concepts
• Appendix C: Activity Centres along the Waterfront
• Appendix D: Stakeholder Engagement Feedback
• Appendix E: PIC Meeting #1 Feedback
• Appendix F: PIC meeting #2 Feedback
• Case Studies

At the Wednesday, May 31, 2023 Infrastructure and Community Investment Committee meeting, the Waterfront Strategic Plan Update document was presented. The motion for the Plan to be approved in principle will be deferred to a fall 2023 Infrastructure and Community Investment Committee meeting. The motion to approve the Plan in principle was deferred to the September 20, 2023, Infrastructure & Community Investment Committee meeting.

PREVIOUS CONSULTATION
Community Consultation: Share your thoughts on three waterfront parks

Public Survey #2: January 20 to February 6, 2023
A second survey to gather public feedback on the Waterfront Strategic Plan's (WSP) strategic priorities and park elements and improvements from three waterfront parks was open from January 20 until February 6, 2023.

Background

The Waterfront Strategic Plan (WSP) will provide strategies to uphold a vision of “the Barrie waterfront as a series of distinct inclusive, resilient, and activated experiences, focused across the three shores”:

• Inclusive: the waterfront should be a place that is accessible, safe and comfortable for all to enjoy—regardless of race, culture, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socio-economic status.
• Resilient: Barrie’s waterfront can continue to be sustainably enjoyed today and by future generations, using preservation and enhancement strategies that recognize the irreplaceable value of the waterfront and its natural features.
• Activated: focuses on the vibrance and life of the waterfront—enhancing Kempenfelt Bay as an iconic destination for residents and visitors.

Through community collaboration, nine goals (seen to the right) have been established to uphold this vision.

Where we are now
Expanding on what we heard during the first and second engagement sessions, the team has established the waterfront's top 10 Strategic Priorities to guide our attention, investment and planning efforts for a strong impact on the waterfront and its growth:

1. Add and Improve Inclusive Facilities
2. Enhance Access Points to Waterfront Parks & Trails
3. Introduce a Waterfront Wide Iconic Branding Strategy
4. Optimize Access into/onto the Water
5. Mitigate Overcrowding and Parking Issues
6. Promote Climate Adaptability and Environmental Protection
7. Implement and Support Seasonal Programming
8. Use the Waterfront to Achieve Larger Economic and Tourism Development Goals
9. Revitalize Focus Destinations
10. Create Park Master Plans that Recognize Each Park’s Contribution to the Waterfront

The WSP will provide a high-level framework to drive future waterfront improvements, including waterfront parks. Residents will have opportunity to provide detailed comments at the plan stage for each park in the future.

PREVIOUS Community Consultation Phases

Public Information Centre #1: March 24
The first Public Information Centre (PIC) meeting and presentation took place on Thursday, March 24, 2022, as a Zoom interactive discussion with a focus on a visioning session. As part of this PIC meeting, there are three surveys that members of the public can complete. The surveys closed on April 11.

Public Information Centre #2: June 22
A second virtual PIC meeting and presentation took place on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. These meetings were open to all members of the public and there were two time options available.

Next steps

Following the winter 2023 survey results, the project will now move into final report stage. A staff report on the finalized Waterfront Strategic Plan will go to Barrie City Council in late spring 2023.

As well, residents will have another opportunity to comment in the future on the detailed design of waterfront parks through a separate plan process for each park.

Related project currently underway: Barrie Wayfinding Strategy
The City is also currently undertaking a public consultation to improve the city’s wayfinding signage system. Wayfinding is the signage and similar directional tools that help you identify where you are, find what you are looking for, and confirm you have arrived at your desired destination. This project involves developing a wayfinding system that will direct visitors and locals using all forms of transportation to the downtown Barrie area and its attractions, including public parking, institutions and parks, as well as to help them navigate through the downtown and waterfront to easily find specific destinations. Find out more about this project.