It has taken a while but Barrie’s waterfront is slowly getting back to business, with a new look.

There is now more green space and new paths for cyclists, rollerbladers and walkers.

There is also a new 300 metre-long wooden boardwalk along the sand.

“It’s about four metres-wide, and very accessible for everyone,” says Project Engineer Leonard Borgdorff. “Strollers, wheelchairs, walkers: it’s an integral part of the beach now so that people can get to the beach from the pathway system.”

“We wanted to make this space as inclusive as possible, and the boardwalk was a way we could do that,” says Accessibility Coordinator Cheryl Dillon.

But some beach-goers may notice there is less beach area than in previous years.

“14 per cent of the beach area is lost because of the higher water level,” says Borgdorff.

He hopes that will return next summer.

Meanwhile, Borgdorff says there is still work to be done.

“The big parking lot on the other side of the creek is being re-constructed. There's a basketball/ice rink combination court being built right now, and the pathways are going to be upgraded and reconstructed,” he says.

There is more parking in lots, and less parking on the road. Overall there is less space for parking overall.

Construction is expected to wrap-up by November.