City of Owen Sound Hears Call for Transit Access Into Harrison Park
Owen Sound’s Operations Committee heard a request from the Harrison Park Senior Centre to extend city bus service into the park, citing accessibility challenges for seniors, families, and workers.
Members of the Operations Committee heard a request at their most recent meeting to extend city bus service into Harrison Park to improve accessibility for residents, seniors, and families.
The public deputation came from Joan Harris, chair of the board of the Harrison Park Senior Centre, who spoke on behalf of several board members. Harris described the difficulty many people face in reaching the park without a personal vehicle, particularly those with mobility challenges, seniors, and families with young children.
The city’s bus currently stops at the park entrance, leaving riders to walk roughly 15 minutes along a narrow path or roadway to reach amenities such as the restaurant, playground, and senior centre.
Harris told the committee that this route can be especially difficult in winter and unsafe for pedestrians and employees walking to work. She asked that the city revise its transit route to allow buses to travel into the park and stop closer to the central facilities.
Harris also emphasized that the Senior Centre has operated in Harrison Park for more than 30 years, run entirely by volunteers. She said the lack of accessible transit limits participation in these programs and restricts access to what she called a “community hub” for older adults.
In addition to offering low-cost recreational programs, the centre provides free annual tax-filing services for low-income residents — many of whom rely on public transit or assistance from friends to attend appointments, she added.
Committee members thanked Harris for the presentation and raised questions about the costs and logistics of modifying transit routes. Councillor Carol Merton asked whether a short-term pilot or trial service could be tested to assess ridership and costs.
City staff explained that a previous transit study considered a stop at Harrison Park but did not recommend a permanent fixed route, as extending the line into the park would add about two kilometres—roughly a 20% increase in distance and travel time for the Crosstown route.
Supervisor of Environmental Services Heidi Jennen told the committee that such a change would likely require extending route times from 30 to 45 minutes or adding a separate seasonal shuttle. That option, she said, could cost between $25,000 and $50,000 depending on frequency.
The city’s transit contractor recorded approximately 208 fixed-route riders at the stop near the park entrance over the past year, though it is unclear how many of those passengers actually entered the park.
Mobility transit, which provides door-to-door service for people with disabilities, recorded about 88 riders to and from Harrison Park between October 2024 and September 2025. Jennen noted that the city has simplified the mobility transit application process to make it more accessible.
Committee members discussed potential alternatives, including partnerships, community fundraising, or seasonal shuttle services. Member Michele Hawkins suggested that a summer shuttle or a collaboration with local organizations might improve access without overburdening the municipal budget.
Councillor Merton and other members agreed on the importance of accessibility to public spaces and noted that community-led or grant-funded initiatives could help explore new options.
Chair and Deputy Mayor Scott Greig said the city’s current transit system operates within tight budget limits and that expanding routes would affect schedules and costs across the network. He noted that the paved multi-use trail into the park is now maintained year-round, improving safety compared to previous conditions, though challenges remain for some users.
Councillor Brock Hamley proposed that rather than requesting a new report from staff, the city should recirculate the existing transit study to committee members, since it already contains detailed cost and route information. Staff confirmed that the study is publicly available on the city’s website and would share the link with committee members.
While no formal motion was adopted, the committee agreed that accessibility to Harrison Park remains an important consideration. Members expressed interest in reviewing the existing study and exploring options such as shuttle partnerships or grant applications that could support improved access in the future.
The City of Owen Sound Transit Study is available here on the municipality’s website. You can view the full discussion in the Operations Committee meeting recording here.
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