Centennial Park — Attraction in Barrie

I was incredibly surprised by the amazing assortment of things to do at Centennial Park. Between the open grassy lawns, the walking and cycle pathways and the large kids play areas, there is plenty to do to spend an entire day enjoying the Barrie waterfront. Parking is certainly expensive, but cheaper if you're a local resident with a pass. Visitors can pay at the pay stations with a credit card, and there are usually spaces available except on the busiest of days. Most of the park's amenities are new, meaning the pavement and playground are in good shape, which, given the amount of traffic, is a definite bonus. There are lots of benches, picnic tables, and, most importantly, trash and recycling receptacles spaced out along the park to ensure it is kept clean. The views of Kempenfelt Bay are fantastic, with boats usually dotting the horizon. There are concessions, but the cost and wait can be prohibitive, so probably best to bring your own food or go to one of the establishments in town. For the more adventurous, the floating Splash ON Water Park is at the north end. On the south end is a boat launch and the historic Allandale Station, next to the new GO station should you be traveling from out of town by rail. A great use of waterfront property that is accessible to all, and should be emulated in...

What a jewel in the City of Barrie. With the finalization of all the construction and major changes to the waterfront, there are so many places to sit by the water and enjoy it! Centennial Park is one area along the walking trail that can start at Hooter's and Heritage Park and extend to around the Bay passing over a number of creeks, and along the water's edge all the way to South Shore Community Centre and the new Military Heritage Park which is a MUST-SEE (next to South Shore Community Centre). They recognize The Vimy Oaks, The Most Decorated Indigenous Soldier in Canadian History, and Tulips 🌷. If you choose, then you can continue walking to the end of the path until you reach White Oaks Road. One can walk the entire distance and only have to cross over two areas where you need to watch for cars entering and exiting a parking lot. One is the parking lot where they park the boat trailers just north of Centennial Park and the second location is at the Tiffen boat ramp. During winter the path runs closer to the road, but once the snow and ice are gone, it's a walker's paradise. What an incredible change over the last number of years. I have been walking that trail since at least 1999. A great deal has changed over...

The beach, water, and park are very well put together. However, the town upkeep is horrible. No town staff to be found (weekday or weekend). 1 male and 1 female bathroom for thet whole PARK. No changerooms for anyone to use only a 1 stall bathroom (male side). Clean up only takes place twice a day morning and then in the evening. You can imagine with hundreds or maybe even thousands of people on a nice day what it must look like. They have other bathroom facilities but are continuously locked. According to a town emplyee (when we found one)" we don't open them, only during festivals and other special occassions" That is crazy, you have the facility but refuse to open it???? I can't imagine owning a business down in this area with all the people asking to use the facilities, it must be really frustrating. If I lived in Barrie I would not be impressed with my city staff for this. The town stops lifeguarding from Aug 19th due to lack of funding. Seriously city has had a number or of publicized incident in 2018 that then need for lifeguards...