Barrie Clock

Updated April 15, 2024

## Barrie Clock: Rotary Waterfront Timepiece on Kempenfelt Bay

Location: Walking path at the foot of Bayfield Street on Barrie’s waterfront (near Heritage Park)
Map coordinates: 44.3877556, -79.6888707
Address sometimes used for the waterfront/nearby marina: 9 Simcoe St, Barrie, ON L4M 2N2, Canada
Type: Tourist attraction (four-faced post clock)
Community rating in our dataset: 5/5

### Why the Barrie Clock matters

Barrie’s waterfront gained a permanent, highly visible landmark when the city’s Rotary clubs funded and installed a traditional four-faced, 18-foot post clock to mark Canada’s 150th anniversary and the Rotary Foundation’s centennial. The clock sits along the lakefront walking path by Heritage Park at the foot of Bayfield Street, anchoring one of the busiest segments of the Lakeshore promenade. Funding came from the sale of engraved granite pavers set into the walkway around the site, turning the clock into a small community archive as well as a timepiece. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia

> Data note: Many waterfront businesses list 9 Simcoe Street (the marina/transient docks) as their address. The clock itself is cited by Rotary sources as being at the foot of Bayfield Street on the lakeside path. If you’re navigating by GPS, use Bayfield Street at Lakeshore/Heritage Park as your target, then walk a minute or two along the promenade. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia

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## Quick facts & practical tips

– Design & scale: A classic, four-dial Rotary post clock rising ~18 feet—photogenic from street level and the lakewalk. Verdin Company
– Dedication: Installed for July 1, 2017 festivities; project of the Rotary Club of Barrie, Barrie-Huronia, and Barrie-Kempenfelt. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia
– Best light: Sunrise throws soft color across Kempenfelt Bay; blue hour after sunset works well with the lit dials and shoreline reflections.
– Accessibility: The lakewalk around Heritage Park and Meridian Place is level and paved; curb cuts and wide paths make it straightforward for strollers and mobility devices. City pages describe the waterfront plazas as pedestrian-friendly event spaces. of Barrie
– Nearby parking: Downtown surface lots and street parking by Meridian Place/Memorial Square; from there it’s a short, flat walk to the water. of Barrie

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## What to see around the clock (walkable highlights)

– Heritage Park & Waterfront Promenade – Lawns, paths, and shoreline views frame the clock. Rotary projects here also include the Heritage Park Gazebo, a popular photo background. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia
– Meridian Place & Memorial Square – Barrie’s central outdoor stage and civic plaza directly linked to the lakefront; frequent concerts and markets. Use this as your “downtown waypoint” when planning a loop that includes the clock. of Barrie
– Spirit Catcher – The city’s signature steel sculpture on the waterfront; pair a shot of the clock with a second stop here for a compact art-and-architecture photo walk.

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## Photo & content angles that perform (beyond the obvious close-up)

1. Contextual wide shots – Step back so the four faces read against Kempenfelt Bay and the marina. Include shoreline elements (boardwalk, cyclists) for scale and storytelling. The clock was part of a broader waterfront revamp featuring a footbridge, bike path, and extended boardwalk—use those lines as leading elements. Verdin Company
2. Detail frames – Capture the Rotary insignia and any paver engravings at the base to illustrate community funding and civic pride. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia
3. Golden/blue hour – Early light over Lake Simcoe or twilight reflections from the promenade make the dials glow; this is where most “save to collections” behavior happens on travel feeds.

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## How to plan your stop

### Getting there
– On foot/from downtown: Walk south along Bayfield Street to Heritage Park; the clock is right on the waterfront path. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia
– If you’re at the marina (9 Simcoe St): Head west/northwest along the shoreline walkway toward Bayfield Street; you’ll pass transient docks and boat-tour kiosks. Barrie

### Time on site
– 10–20 minutes is enough for photos and a short read of the engravings; pair it with a longer waterfront stroll or café stop downtown.

### Seasonal notes
– Winter: Open area; wind off the bay can be sharp. Dress for conditions; paths are typically cleared for events at Meridian Place. of Barrie
– Summer: Peak foot traffic during festivals and weekends; arrive early morning or near sunset for cleaner compositions.

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## Add-on experiences within a 5–10 minute walk

– Waterfront art stop: Spirit Catcher for sculpture and bay vistas.
– Plaza programming: Meridian Place & Memorial Square for live music, markets, and civic events; check the city’s listings before you go. of Barrie
– On-the-water options: Seasonal operators at the marina address on Simcoe Street run themed outings (e.g., pirate-themed family cruises have used the 9 Simcoe Street dock); always verify current schedules.

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## Responsible travel & inclusivity

– Step-free access: The clock and surrounding promenade are on flat, paved surfaces suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. City improvements explicitly emphasize pedestrian access and connectivity between downtown and the lake. of Barrie
– Crowd etiquette: This is a shared civic space; keep tripods tight to the edge of the path and yield to mobility devices and families.
– Wayfinding clarity: If rideshares or taxis can’t pin the exact spot, ask for “Heritage Park at the foot of Bayfield Street” rather than the marina address.

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## Accuracy checks & potential outdated points

– Exact siting: Rotary and manufacturer sources place the clock at the foot of Bayfield Street on the waterfront path. Some map pins and business listings use 9 Simcoe Street because it’s the marina/dock address; that can mislead navigation apps. We recommend routing to Bayfield Street at Lakeshore/Heritage Park for precision. Rotary Club of Barrie Huronia
– Event cadence: Programming at Meridian Place/Memorial Square evolves; rely on the City of Barrie’s facility page for current details. of Barrie

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## Bottom line

The Barrie Clock is more than a pretty dial—it’s a community-funded landmark that ties together Barrie’s revitalized waterfront, public art, and downtown plaza network in a single, easy stop. Pin Bayfield & Lakeshore for the exact location, shoot it with bay context for impact, and fold in Meridian Place and Spirit Catcher to turn a quick photo into a satisfying mini-walk on Kempenfelt Bay. Verdin Company

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