Located just south of Barrie, the Town of Innisfil straddles Highway 400, as it stretches from the Lake Simcoe shoreline westward into agricultural communities and small settlements, with Cookstown being one of the best known communities today.
During its 170 years of history, Innisfil has seen some of its communities be wrapped into the City of Barrie – Allandale, Painswick and Holly. Today, Stroud, Alcona and Cookstown are the three major centres, with smaller communities such as Churchill and Barclay, Belle Ewart and Big Bay Point.
Innisfil blends rural living with suburban lifestyles that appeal to professionals who want to leave the big city. Neighbourhoods are modern, lots are large, and the housing styles varied. Parks, vast open spaces and water nearby remind them they’re living in cottage country.
On the tip of Kempenfelt Bay as the water opens to Lake Simcoe, Big Bay Point has been a cottage area for decades. Today, Big Bay Point is a resort destination, including the new Friday Harbour Resort. Many families and many who seek a break from the big city appreciate Big Bay Point’s quick, easy drive to the amenities in Barrie have upgraded their homes and made it a year-round community. Davidson’s Country Dining creates some of the best home-cooked food with gourmet and health-conscious touches.
Just down the shorelines, Alcona is a growing community on the lake that is fast becoming the hub of Innisfil. Nearby, there is a rec centre that includes a modern YMCA, soccer fields and baseball diamonds. On the campus there is a preschool and a private school, as well as the new Rizzardo Health and Wellness Centre, the headquarters of the South Simcoe Police and the municipal offices.
In Alcona, a popular destination is Innisfil Beach Park, the jewel in the community’s parks system. Its 27.8 hectares (68 acres) includes sports fields, walking trails and playground equipment, as well as protected areas, beaches and a boat launch.
Cookstown has a sense of history and its walkable main street features antique specialty shops. Old Cookstown is the birthplace of Canadian women’s rights activist, Emily Murphy, who, in 1916, became the first female police magistrate in the British Empire. Cookstown hosts an annual garage sale, the Wing Ding, each June, and a fair each September. Closer to Highway 400 is a Tanger outlet mall, which attracts price-conscious but label-seeking shoppers.
Innisfil. A community of communities – and odds are, there’s a community that’s the right fit for your family’s lifestyle. Learn More.