Central Simcoe
Springwater
Midhurst, Elmvale, Snow Valley and rural communities surrounding Barrie’s north and west sides.
Living in Springwater
A township shaped by villages, countryside and proximity to Barrie.
Springwater includes Midhurst, Elmvale, Snow Valley, Minesing, Anten Mills, Hillsdale and other rural communities across a large agricultural and forested landscape.
Midhurst offers close proximity to Barrie, Elmvale functions as a distinct small-town centre, and the rural and recreational areas provide a more land-oriented lifestyle.
Township snapshot
Population and land area: Statistics Canada 2021 Census. Planning horizon: Township of Springwater Official Plan 2051 update.
Housing character
Estate subdivisions, village homes and rural acreage.
Springwater includes established village homes, larger-lot subdivisions, estate properties, rural acreages and farms.
Midhurst and Snow Valley can feel suburban or estate-oriented, while Elmvale and other villages offer a smaller-town setting. Rural properties require additional attention to servicing, road access and zoning.
Search Springwater homes →Schools
Schools are distributed across several village catchments.
Springwater shares an SCDSB trustee area with Oro-Medonte, so exact public-school assignments depend heavily on location. Catholic schools may be in Springwater, Collingwood or Barrie-area catchments.
Public schools serving Springwater
Forest Hill Elementary SchoolHillsdale Elementary SchoolHuronia Centennial Elementary SchoolMinesing Central Public SchoolW.R. Best Public SchoolElmvale District High SchoolCatholic schools serving the broader area
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic SchoolSt. Mary’s Catholic SchoolSt. Noel Chabanel Catholic SchoolOur Lady of the Bay Catholic High SchoolSchool information checked against current SCDSB trustee listings and SMCDSB directory. Confirm exact boundaries by property address.
Parks & recreation
Trails and outdoor facilities are spread throughout the township.
Springwater maintains parks and sports facilities in multiple communities, including fields, courts and open-space recreation.
The North Simcoe Rail Trail runs through the township from the Minesing Wetlands toward Tiny, while the Hunter Russell Nature Trail follows Willow Creek through Midhurst.
Annual events & local traditions
A few dates locals look forward to.
Getting to know a place means experiencing it together. These recurring gatherings offer a glimpse of life in and around Springwater.
April
Elmvale Maple Syrup Festival
Elmvale
A spring tradition celebrating maple season and supporting local community projects.
Event informationOctober / Thanksgiving weekend
Elmvale Fall Fair
Elmvale Fairgrounds
An agricultural fair that connects generations through farming, exhibits and local traditions.
Event informationHoliday season
Minesing Christmas Tree Lighting
Minesing
A neighbourhood gathering organised by local volunteers to welcome the holiday season.
Event informationSeasons shown are typical. Dates, venues and programming can change; check the linked event information before planning a visit.
Walkability & getting around
Village centres are walkable; most of the township is car-dependent.
Elmvale and parts of Midhurst provide the best access to daily amenities without long drives. Rural areas and estate communities are more car-oriented.
Highway 26 and County roads connect Springwater to Barrie, Midland, Wasaga Beach and other parts of Simcoe County.
Growth & development
Springwater is actively rewriting its long-term growth plan.
The Township is updating its Official Plan to 2051, with current work addressing settlement growth, employment lands, servicing and transportation.
Midhurst and other settlement areas are particularly important to watch because new housing and infrastructure can change the local context over time.
Explore new developments →Springwater or Barrie?
More land and smaller communities or a full urban service base?
Springwater generally offers more space and a rural or village setting, while Barrie provides transit, denser amenities and a broader range of urban housing.
Compare Barrie →Area opportunity alerts
Hear about opportunities in Springwater.
Register your interest for new listings, exclusive or off-market opportunities, and other relevant properties as they become available.
Community guide compiled from Statistics Canada, Township of Springwater, SCDSB and SMCDSB sources, with supplementary neighbourhood context from HoodQ.