Barrie’s City Centre is a fast-paced neighborhood where there’s always something happening whether it be local events organized by the Downtown Barrie BIA, shows, or festivals. It caters to a variety of lifestyles because of the nightlife scene and quick access to recreation activities and parks. The neighborhood is a prime location for waterfront living as it wraps around Kempenfelt Bay. As you drive along the tree lined streets you will notice that many of the homes in this neighborhood are older historic homes built from various decades. Barrie’s City Centre provides many living options like condominiums, attached and detached residential homes, and townhouses.
There are three elementary schools that are local to this neighborhood, Hillcrest Public School, Codrington Public School, and St. Mary’s Catholic School. Eastview Secondary School is the sole high school located within this neighborhood, so for those looking for a catholic school option the closest secondary school would be Nouvelle-Alliance.
For young and growing families considering relocating to this neighborhood there are plenty of childcare options. Learning Jungle Maple Hill, Ferris Lane Community Daycare, and the YMCA are all early childhood education providers that have developed their own unique education program.
Moving about the neighborhood and city is very easy from this neighborhood. The Barrie Transit Terminal is located downtown Barrie and each bus route will stop here. It’s also the location for Midland Tours and Greyhound buses for anyone travelling out of the city. Travelling in the neighborhood is very easy as most major amenities are within walking distance. For those commuting to Toronto for work or leisure the Allandale GO Station is just five minutes away from the neighborhood or the nearest on ramp to the highway 400 is at Bayfield Street or Dunlop Street West.
Barrie’s City Centre has plenty of access to greenspace and recreational activities. Centennial Beach is located on Barrie’s waterfront, which has a basketball and beach volleyball court, and playground. It’s also a popular location for swimming during the summer as it has a sandy shoreline and a Splash ON water fun activity for kids. In the wintertime the City of Barrie constructs an outdoor rink for the whole community to enjoy. At the other end of Barrie’s waterfront is Heritage Park which is where you can find the very well-known spirit catcher, a property of the MacLaren Art Centre. There’s also a gazebo and small pond that can also be found here, as well as an additional splash pad for kids to enjoy. Other parks that can be found throughout the neighborhood are Sam Cancilla Park, and St. Vincent Park.
The six-kilometre waterfront trail is a very popular walking trail for residents and visitors alike. It provides gorgeous views of Kempenfelt Bay and is easily accessible for everyone and there are plenty of benches along the way should you need to take a break. Heritage Barrie has also designed a self-guided historic tour along the trail where you can stop and read the commemorative plaques detailing the rich history of the City of Barrie.
Conveniently the City of Barrie Marina is also located on Barrie’s waterfront for boaters living in the cities core, in addition to the marina for those who have a seasonal property along the waterfront the Tiffin Boat Launch is also located here.
Downtown Barrie is popular for events and festivals organized by the Downtown Barrie BIA. There are monthly events residents and visitors can enjoy like the Ice Sculpture event during the winter months, as well the Hot Cocoa Trail during February. In the summer Dunlop Street closes to traffic every Saturday for Open Air Dunlop. Here local vendors can setup shop for the day to showcases their products, and local restaurants along the strip can extend their patios.
Barrie’s City Centre is also well known for its annual Kempenfest festival events which brings over 400 vendors to the city. This event was set up for local vendors across Simcoe County and beyond to showcase their products. There’s also a variety of activities for kids. The Midway Theme Park sets up several rides for kids and young adults to enjoy, as well as live music and delicious food to try.
Downtown Barrie offers a variety of amenities like shopping, dining, and personal care. 113 East Hair Salon and 5 Points Barber are two popular local hair salons located in the centre of downtown Barrie. Blueberry Moon is a general store on Dunlop Street that has a little bit of everything and everything that you need.
In addition to the many great local shops and businesses on Dunlop Street, you will also find an extensive variety of restaurants, cafés, and pubs that will be sure to satisfy everyone. The Alley and The Queen’s are two popular nightclubs amongst young adults, while Donaleighs and Kenzington’s pubs provide a more relaxed atmosphere. 147 is a fine Italian cuisine restaurant that provide views of Kempenfelt Bay. The food is delicious and is one of the best Italian restaurants in the City of Barrie. If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere with good pub fare, Hooligan’s Rooftop is a popular destination during the summer.
As you can see Barrie’s City Centre is a desirable location to live as it caters to a variety of lifestyles. There are plenty of recreational activities to do and a vibrant downtown district to satisfy your entertainment needs.
-The BDAR Team