Barrie: City on the Shore

Barrie may appear as the bashful kid sister peeking out from behind her celebrity siblings – the southern megatropolis of Toronto and northwest Georgian Bay communities. In reality, Barrie gives a stellar performance in the areas of culture, recreation and scenery. With a bounty of activities in and around the area, a soaring population growth and economic expansion, Barrie does not hide in the shadows – the spotlight shines directly on it.

	Kempenfelt Bay from Heritage Park photo courtes of Christina Loeffel

The city curls around the shore of Kempenfelt Bay on shimmering Lake Simcoe, and is cocooned by a panoramic combination of hills, farmland and quaint towns. Barrie is over 150 years old, and shows no signs of stagnation.

HISTORY

Aboriginal communities once occupied the land that is now the urban centre of Barrie. Trappers and fur traders identified the area as Nine Mile Portage, the land route connecting Lake Simcoe to the Nottswasaga River and continuing on to the Georgian Bay. In the early 1800s, the east end of the portage by Kempenfelt Bay was the location of a Hudson’s Bay Company storehouse. During the War of 1812, the British expanded the portage to accommodate wagons carrying troops and supplies from Upper Canada. The route allowed the British to bypass the Americans in Detroit, on their way to posts near Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

During the 1820s, the British chose the area as a location for a military post. Named after Sir Robert Barrie, the admiral in command of the British fleet stationed at Kingston, the settlement of Barrie sprang forth.

Throughout the mid 1800s, the lumber and agricultural industry burgeoned. The local economy continued to spiral upward when the Ontario Simcoe Huron Railway, later known as the Northern Railway, added Barrie to its rail line. The line also operated a steamer that connected Barrie to Orilla and Muskoka.

Barrie became a hamlet in 1853, and was incorporated as a town in 1871. Further boosts came over the next few decades with the construction of a general hospital, a nursing school (which later became Georgian College) and Camp Borden, a Canadian Forces base.

In the 1950s, Highway 400 was built to join Barrie to Toronto and the rest of Southwestern Ontario. This eased the daily commute to and from Toronto, thus prompting many to choose Barrie as their home. In 1959, Barrie matured to city status. A recent land annex and a continual influx of residents have many proclaiming Barrie as one of the fastest growing communities in Canada.

	Heritage Park photo courtesy of Christina Loeffel

TRANSPORTATION

Drive to Barrie from Toronto on Highway 400, a six-lane principal roadway with a speed limit of 100 km (62 mi). Motorists who consider the speed limit merely a suggestion often find themselves pulled over by the Ontario Provincial Police, as this highway is well patrolled. Barrie is the unofficial gateway to cottage country, thus weekend traffic to and beyond the city is bound to be bumper to bumper in the summer.

Other methods of getting to Barrie include plane and motorcoach. A passenger and freight charter service is offered from the Lake Simcoe Regional Airport, which is 20 minutes northeast of Barrie, between Barrie and Orilla. Two major motorcoach lines, Greyhound Canada and Ontario Northland Bus, have routes that journey to Barrie, connecting it to small towns as well as major cities. Toronto’s very efficient and reasonably priced GO Transit bus service travels daily from Barrie to Toronto and back, with a few stops in between. It is a popular transportation option for many worker bees.

Several modes of transportation are available for travelling within the city. Rental cars can be obtained from one of many agencies in Barrie. Car travel offers ease and flexibility to capture Barrie's resplendent scenery and partake in many activities. There are several taxi companies that service the city and surrounding area as well. Barrie Transit has weekday service starting at 5:45 a.m. along most routes. The bus service also offers a night-stop programme, which allows passengers travelling after 6 p.m. to be let off at any safe location along the route (the driver must be informed at least one stop before the location).

The City of Barrie Marina offers transient docking for visiting boaters by Lakeshore Drive, adjacent to Kempenfelt Bay. This location is a short amble to downtown Barrie’s shops and restaurants, as well as popular beaches.

CLIMATE

Temperatures in Barrie's warmest months, July and August, can reach 25 ºC (78 ºF) and upwards, making it necessary for lighter clothing and a generous slathering of sunscreen.

Agreeable temperatures accompany the month of May, when the spring air averages 11 ºC (52 ºF), much like the fall, which also hovers in the low teens (50 ºF).

The month of November typically greets winter-like temperatures, as the mercury begins to dip to zero and downwards (20 ºF).

Bundle up during the months of January and February, as they are typically the coldest months in Barrie, averaging around - 8 ºC (17 ºF). The temperature has been known to drop down to - 14 ºC (7 ºF), but this is not extremely cold by northern Canadian standards. Snowfall is ample in January, much to the bliss of winter sport enthusiasts.

The rainiest months are usually August and September, with rainfall averaging 80 millilmetres a month. The humidity is generally above 80 per cent year round, so people with the predisposition for curly locks will enjoy (or curse) a head full of them. The humidity also gives a bit more of a bite to winter weather, however it is usually manageable in Barrie.

	Kayak on Lake Simcoe photo courtesy of Christina Loeffel

RECREATION

Golfing, Cycling and Hiking
Fore! Actually, there are at least 11 golf courses in the area. Enjoy the crispness of an early spring morning, or the flaming colours of fall out on the greens. National Pines and Horseshoe Valley, two of the more exemplary courses in the province, are in the vicinity of Barrie. However, other area courses have features that make them enjoyable excursions as well.

Big wheels keep on turning - down the hills of Hardwood Hills Mountain Bike Centre. Spring, summer and fall riders can clutch the bars of their bikes on over 80 km (50 mi) of double and single-track trails, ranging from family friendly to alarmingly gnarly.

Located east of Barrie, along the shores of Lake Simcoe, is Sibbald Point Provincial Park. This recreational area is suitable for all ages, as it has sandy beaches, treed hiking trails and picnic spots. The area was home to the Sibbald family for 130 years. Visitors may tour the Sibbald manor, Eildon Hall (circa 1800s) and St. George Church, the family church. Springwater Provincial Park, north of Barrie, is also a pleasurable diversion from city life. The park’s natural springs have played a large part in the areas reforestation, which have suffered the effects of over-logging. A wildlife area of bears, wolves, owls and swans is also on site.

Lakes and Beaches
The waters around Barrie win over many visitors, as they are postcard perfect. In summer, lifeguards patrol the sandy beaches of Centennial Beach and Johnson’s Beach. A grand view awaits those who gaze off from the beaches into Kempenfelt Bay – the blues of the water, the gray rocks of the jetty and the polychromatic plants (natural or planted) scattered around the shore imbed lasting visions in the memory. The beaches often branch into trails suitable for cycling, inline skating and walking. Children’s playgrounds, public boat launches and special events mark Kempenfelt as a happening summer spot. For a short excursion, hop aboard the Serendipity Princess, a replica of a triple-decker paddle wheel boat. Cruises around Kempenfelt Bay operate from June until September and last approximately one hour and 15 minutes.

Warm and clear in the summer, Lake Simcoe is ideal for swimming, canoeing and boating. Travel around the fringes of the lake for desirable spots, some dense with sun lovers, ravenous picnickers and splashing water frolickers. If a location appears remarkably uncrowded and the sun is high in the sky, there is a good chance it is private property, so check for signs.

Skiing and Winter Expeditions

	Ski Lift Near Barrie

When the snow comes, and it surely will, out come the skis, snowboards, skates, toboggans and other various winter apparatus. Snow Valley is an exceptional downhill ski hill for children and has some of the best snow tubing facilities in the province. Barrie’s alpine skiing treasure would be Horseshoe Resort. The hill has 22 alpine runs (14 lit for night skiing), a half pipe and a tubing area. The Heights at Horseshoe is designated for members and offers 20 private slopes. Another alpine ski facility near Barrie is Mount St. Louis/ Moonstone Ski Resort, which is 26 km (16 mi) away. Travel 64 km (40 mi) west to whisk down the slopes of Ontario’s largest ski hill, Blue Mountain, located in Collingwood.

Hardwood Hills Nordic Ski Centre, a short drive from Barrie at Oro Station, offers a fully equipped ski centre with 45 km (28 mi) of trails for various levels. Snowshoe trails are extensive as well, with 20 km (12 mi) of both groomed and ungroomed trails.

For the patient soul who is not against staying motionless in colder temperatures for undetermined periods of time, ice fishing may be appealing. Huts can be rented, and bait and licenses are sold in the area.

ATTRACTIONS

The Arts and Festivals
Culture is not lacking in this city – opera, music, stage and art venues flourish. One event of note is Kempenfest. Billed as Canada’s largest outdoor arts and crafts festival, Kempenfest draws hundreds to the lakeshore area to view fine art, sample food, watch live performances and enjoy special activities such as a petting zoo or wall climbing.

A rather startling sight on Barrie’s waterfront is the 20 tonne (44,000 pound) steel ‘Spirt Catcher’. Created for EXPO ’86, held in Vancouver, the statue resembles the Thunderbird, the creature that carries dreams and desires to the Creator, in First Nations mythology. The purchase and donation of Spirit Catcher to Barrie impacted the arts committee, as it inspired the development of a public art gallery – the McLaren Art Centre. Today it has become a city icon and a memorable roadside attraction.

The MacLaren Art Centre accommodates over 40,000 varied art media, mostly Canadian contemporary but some classic items such as the permanent Rodin collection.

Gaming
Join the roar of the excited crowd at Georgian Downs, which offers year-round harness racing, viewed from the luxury of a glass-enclosed grandstand, as well as slots and games.

For those in the mood for more, head half-an-hour north of Barrie to Casino Rama. Take in a Vegas-style show, spotlighting former singing heart-throbs or hilarious comedians.

Historical and Educational Sites
Camp Borden, located 34 km (21 mi) southwest of Barrie, was the first military flying field ever built in Canada. In 1924, the base became the birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, with Lt. Col. William J. Barker as commander. Barker went on to become the most decorated war hero in Canadian history. Still an active military base, the site is home to Base Borden Military Museum, which consists of four buildings (one being an aircraft hangar). Many one-of-a-kind land and air artifacts are displayed, some dating back to the First World War. Outside the buildings are 10 vintage flying machines, including an ex-training plane for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Canada’s acclaimed aerobatic flying team.

Take a mystical trip on an authentic steam locomotive south of Barrie at the Village of Tottenham. The South Simcoe Railway offers a nostalgic 1800s tour on a portion of the route that once connected Hamilton with Barrie and Collingwood. The train chugs forth from mid-May until mid-October, with a few special occasion runs.

Swooping upward, then plummeting towards ground, the birds of the Falconry Centre near Tottenham perform aerial feats daily. Step into the medieval style courtyard to observe this educational research centre’s over 200 falcons, hawks, eagles, owls and vultures.

SHOPPING AND NIGHTLIFE

Bayfield Street is known as Barrie’s ‘Golden Mile’, as it features a multitude of shops, malls, restaurants and services. Dunlop Street in downtown Barrie is home to many shops as well, and has the added bonus of being a very short amble to such sites as Heritage Park on Kempenfelt Bay.

Cookstown Manufacturer’s Outlet Mall is a siren’s call that cannot be ignored by die-hard shoppers. A short drive from Barrie, there is also a bus service that takes eager spenders to the mall. Bricks & Blocks (Lego) Outlet, Cadbury Factory Store, Polo Jeans Store, and Jones Factory Finale are just a few of the retail establishments where customers may leave with money still in the wallet.

	Farmers Market photo courtesy of Christina Loeffel

The Barrie Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday morning in front of Barrie City Hall. Offering a cornucopia of produce, baked goods and handcrafted items, this market has a proud history of over 150 years in Barrie, and attracts locals and visitors alike.

The student population may be partly responsible for Barrie's active nightlife, but many locals have been known to take advantage of the city’s after dark activities by frequenting one of many pubs, sports bars, lounges, clubs and live music venues. The Molson Centre is often the site of roof-raising concerts.