Barrie is a fast-growing community of approximately 150,000 located on the western shore of Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe in central Ontario. Barrie offers a high-quality outdoor lifestyle based on its many greenspaces and recreational facilities located throughout the community. The City aims to be recognized as an inclusive, healthy, active lifestyle community.

Barrie's North Shore Trail is a unique multi-use recreational trail running the entire length of Barrie's north shore of Kempenfelt Bay. This former rail corridor provides residents and visitors with direct views of the bay from a wide pathway.

Through the North Shore Trail Access Improvements Project, new access points and connections to the North Shore Trail and the Kempenfelt shoreline will be designed and constructed in three (3) sites near Kempenfelt Park, St. Vincent Park, and Nelson Square.

City of Barrie staff and the consultant, SHIFT Landscape Architecture, welcomed community engagement and feedback on this project through community consultation in March 2025. This included an online survey and in-person community consultation opportunities.

Review the Project Information Package to learn more about the project and the sites!

Community Engagement

Project Survey

The online survey closed Monday March 24, 2025. The survey asked for the publics’ insights, experiences, and ideas to help inform the proposed project designs.

Eligible survey participants were entered into a draw for one (1) of two (2) prize packs. Prize draw winners will be contacted directly by Parks Planning staff.

Information Pop-up Events

Parks Planning Staff also hosted Information Pop-Up Events where the public could learn about the Project, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Next steps

The consultant will develop a preferred final design. This design will guide construction work, anticipated to begin in Fall 2025.