Barrie, Ontario residents are being asked to help shape the future of Minet’s Point Park, as the city has released two design concepts for a major overhaul of the waterfront green space at 10 Lismer Boulevard. An online survey is open until Sunday, June 28, 2026, and two drop-in information sessions at the park are set for June 17 and 18.
The redevelopment is part of Barrie’s 2023 Waterfront Strategic Plan, a 10-year roadmap backed by over $75 million in phased investments to improve access, traffic flow, and environmental health along Kempenfelt Bay. Minet’s Point Park is one piece of a larger puzzle at the site, where work on the Whiskey Creek culvert and channel improvements and a future pump station rebuild are also in the works.
The two concepts offer distinct experiences. Concept #1 takes cues from the bay’s natural curves, using flowing paths that lead to a central shade pavilion with clear views of the water. It includes seating tucked under mature trees and a gravel walking path alongside the soon-to-be-upgraded Whiskey Creek. Concept #2 is more linear, with a tree-lined edge along the parking lot that pulls visitors straight toward the shore. That design packs in a long shade structure, a picnic area with outdoor cooking features, lounge chairs and umbrellas right at the waterfront, and a play area that blends into the beach.
Right now, the approximately 3-acre park has a beach, parking, a playground, and seasonal washrooms, but the city sees room for much more as waterfront demand grows over the next two decades. The public can weigh in online through the Building Barrie engagement portal or at the pop-up sessions on Wednesday, June 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday, June 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., both at the park.
Work on the culvert project is expected to move into construction in 2028, with completion targeted for 2029. The park redesign is timed alongside those upgrades to deliver the most significant transformation of the area in more than 40 years.
