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COLUMN: Little bit of green heaven just down the street

Reporter and neighbourhood resident Bob Bruton says he's 'not the only one who appreciates old-school ways of winding down in a stressful world'

Even with Canada’s vast forests and wilderness, we take our green spaces for granted.

We shouldn’t, but we do. And that includes me.

I’ve lived just up the street from Shear Park in Barrie for almost 28 years.

Recently, I’ve taken stock of that.

My children learned to skate on its outdoor rinks, they had hours of fun on its playground equipment, we trekked the trails through its forest while walking our dogs, played a simple game of catch or kicked around a soccer ball on its grasslands.

I’ve played hours of tennis on the courts there, just resurfaced, which should lead to more normal bounces and less reflex tennis for those of us with reflexes not quite what they used to be.

Shear Park also has a girls softball field, a half basketball court, community gardens for those with green thumbs and a community fruit orchard, part of Barrie’s Food Forest, with free fruit for all who can pick it before the animals do, all within 10.5 acres bound by Holgate Street, Innisfil Street and Baldwin Lane.

Oh, and wildlife. Mostly squirrels, although there seems to be an over-abundance of rabbits this year.

Shear Park’s forest has housed foxes before, and a bear which evidently lost its way ambled through a few years ago. There’s been no sign of either this year, though.

This park also holds the 1985 tornado memorial, which marks the storm of May 31. It brought twisting winds of more than 400 kilometres an hour and left a path of destruction 600 metres wide and five kilometres long in the Allandale and Tollendal sections of Barrie, the plaque reads.

Eight lives were lost in Barrie, 160 people were injured and 609 homes were damaged or destroyed by that tornado.

Shear Park certainly has its historical ties, too. 

Its namesake, Edward Shear, was the principal at nearby King Edward School at 25 Burton Ave., now Unity Christian High School, for 34 years and his wife, Mildred, taught at King Edward for 27 years.

Both my children attended 'King Eddy', as it was often called. My kids were out of King Edward and into high school, Barrie Central Collegiate, when the Burton Avenue public school was shuttered. I’m still not happy with the public school board for that decision, nor for closing Barrie Central later. But I digress.

Shear Park, like most parts of Barrie, has become part of this city’s fabric. It’s also been touched by those who are homeless.

Last summer, a couple lived in a tent, buried deep in the forest near some of its least worn paths, and evidently away from those who would have its occupants removed.

Just last week, I saw a man sleeping on the ground in the forest’s shade one steamy afternoon, the next morning on a picnic table tucked away just behind the softball field’s outfield fence. He was off the ground, probably to escape the dew, and had a sleeping bag, although it was so warm he probably didn’t need it. That night.

My children are all grown up now, have moved away and have their own parks to enjoy.

I’m still enjoying Shear Park, walking the border collie through its forest trails and grasslands, usually two or three times a day.

Border collies don’t have an off switch.

Shear is a busy park, with ball games, kids on playground equipment, tennis games, gardeners, families having picnics and birthday parties under the trees.

That in itself is a good thing.

It says I’m not the only one who appreciates old-school ways of winding down in a stressful world.

Just not nearly enough some days.

Bob Bruton covers city council for BarrieToday when he’s not walking his dog, chasing tennis balls or wondering where all the fruit went from Shear Park’s orchard. 


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Bob Bruton

About the Author: Bob Bruton

Bob Bruton is a full-time BarrieToday reporter who covers politics and city hall.
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