Clearview Township is a good place to raise a family if you know what to expect. The recreation programs are solid, the community is tight, and kids grow up with space and fresh air. Some things, like childcare and transit, require patience and planning. Here is a straightforward look at family life in the area.
Stayner Memorial Arena and Community Centre
The Stayner Memorial Arena at 269 Regina Street is the hub of organized activity in Stayner. The facility includes an ice rink, a community hall with a capacity of roughly 250 people, and fitness space. During hockey season (October through March), the arena runs on a packed schedule of minor hockey, adult leagues, figure skating, and public skating sessions.
In the warmer months, the arena floor hosts lacrosse and other dry-floor sports. The community hall is available for rental and gets used for weddings, banquets, fundraisers, and township events year-round.
Recreation programs run through the Township of Clearview's recreation department. Registration for seasonal programs opens a few weeks before each session. Contact the recreation team at recprogramming@clearview.ca for program schedules, availability, and registration details.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Stayner has a handful of parks that get regular use from families. Legion Park is the main green space, with playground equipment, open fields, and picnic areas. The ball diamonds near the arena host summer softball and baseball leagues. There are basketball courts and a skate park in town as well.
Beyond the built parks, Clearview's real advantage for families is access to nature. The Pretty River Valley Provincial Park is a short drive south, and trails through the Niagara Escarpment are accessible from Duntroon and Singhampton. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails open up across the township. Summer means swimming at nearby beaches along Georgian Bay, about 30 minutes north.
Clearview Public Library
The Clearview Public Library operates three branches: Stayner, Creemore, and New Lowell. For a rural library system, the programming is strong. Regular offerings include:
- Story time for toddlers and preschoolers
- Summer reading programs (tied into the TD Summer Reading Club)
- STEM and maker activities for school-age kids
- Teen programs and study space
- Adult book clubs and community workshops
The Stayner branch is the largest and busiest. All three branches offer free Wi-Fi, computer access, and interlibrary loans through the Simcoe County library network. Library cards are free for Clearview residents.
Youth Sports and Activities
Minor hockey is the dominant youth activity. The Stayner Siskins minor hockey program feeds into the broader Simcoe County hockey ecosystem, and games and practices fill the arena schedule from early fall through late winter. Registration typically opens in late spring for the following season. Registration fees vary by division, and equipment costs add up, especially for newer players. Used gear is widely available through local buy-and-sell groups.
Beyond hockey, families have access to:
- Soccer: Clearview runs recreational soccer leagues through the summer. The fields are in Stayner, and the program covers ages from house league beginners through to competitive-level youth.
- Figure skating: The Stayner Skating Club offers CanSkate and StarSkate programs at the arena.
- Baseball and softball: Summer leagues operate out of the Stayner ball diamonds.
- Lacrosse: Spring and summer box lacrosse runs at the arena.
For activities not offered locally, families typically drive to Collingwood or Barrie. Gymnastics, swimming lessons, martial arts, and dance classes are more readily available in those centres. Budget for the drive time, because this is a routine part of family life in Clearview.
Family Events Through the Year
Clearview's event calendar gives families regular reasons to get out. Key recurring events include:
- Thursday Music, Market and Park It (summer): A weekly evening event in Stayner with live music, vendors, and a community market atmosphere. This is the easiest, most low-key family outing of the summer season.
- Stayner Farmers' Market: Weekly during the growing season, featuring local produce, baked goods, and artisan vendors. See our farmers' market page for details.
- Stayner Kinsmen Fair: An agricultural fair in the fall with midway rides, livestock shows, and demolition derby. It has run for well over a century.
- Creemore Festival of the Arts: A late-summer arts festival with performances, exhibits, and workshops.
- Holiday events: Santa Claus parades, tree lightings, and community dinners through the churches and service clubs.
Check the events section for current listings and dates.
Daycare and Childcare
This is where honesty matters. Licensed childcare spots in Clearview are limited. The demand consistently exceeds supply. There are a small number of licensed home daycares and one or two centre-based options, but waitlists are long. Many families rely on unlicensed home care arrangements, family help, or adjust their work schedules to manage.
If you are moving to the area with young children and both parents work, get on childcare waitlists early. The Simcoe County Childcare Registry (operated through the County of Simcoe) is the central place to start your search. Before and after school care is similarly constrained, though some programs run through local schools.
Schools
Clearview has public and Catholic school options at both the elementary and secondary level. Stayner Collegiate Institute is the local high school. We cover the full picture on our schools and education page, including French immersion availability, school bus transportation, and post-secondary access.
Summer Camps and Seasonal Programs
The township runs day camp programs through the summer for school-age children. These typically operate out of the arena and park facilities in Stayner, with weekly themes and outdoor activities. Registration opens in the spring and fills up, so early sign-up is advised.
Additional camp options exist through private operators in the broader Simcoe County area, including outdoor adventure camps near Collingwood and Blue Mountain. The library also runs its summer reading program, which provides free, structured activities through July and August.
Safety and Community
Clearview has a low crime rate. The township is policed by the OPP (Nottawasaga detachment), and serious crime is uncommon. The more realistic concern for families is road safety, particularly on the rural highways during winter conditions and during the busy summer tourism season when traffic to Collingwood and Wasaga Beach increases.
The community is genuinely close-knit. Neighbours know each other. Service clubs (Lions, Kinsmen, Legion) are active. Volunteer involvement is high. For families willing to participate, the social fabric is strong. For families used to the anonymity of a larger city, the adjustment to small-town visibility takes some getting used to.
Ready to explore more about life in the area? See what the different communities of Clearview have to offer, or visit our local services directory to find what you need.