New Trail Will Improve Safety and Access to Bluffer’s Park as the First Phase of the Scarborough Waterfront Project
October 21, 2025, Toronto, ON – Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) celebrated the groundbreaking of the Brimley Road South Multi-Use Trail on Monday, October 20.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Deputy Mayor for Scarborough and Chair of the TRCA Board of Directors, Paul Ainslie, and local City Councillor for Scarborough Southwest and Member of the TRCA Board of Directors, Parthi Kandavel.
TRCA Chief Executive Officer John MacKenzie was also present, along with representatives from the City of Toronto Transportation Services, led by Jacquelyn Hayward, Director of Transportation Services, Planning, Design and Management, and representatives from the Waterfront Secretariat.
Other attendees included members of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Bluffer’s Park Marina and Boat Clubs, local community organizations, and Cycle Toronto.
The trail is the first phase of the Scarborough Waterfront Project, a multi-phase initiative led by TRCA in partnership with the City of Toronto, with a vision of creating a system of public greenspaces along the Lake Ontario shoreline between Bluffer’s Park and East Point Park.
The system will respect and protect the significant natural and cultural features of the Bluffs, enhance terrestrial and aquatic habitat, and provide a safe and enjoyable waterfront experience.
This first phase of construction will improve safe access to Bluffer’s Park while navigating, protecting, and restoring a complex and sensitive landscape.
The new paved and illuminated trail, ranging from 3.0 to 5.1 metres wide, will run along the east side of Brimley Road South, from Barkdene Hills to Bluffer’s Park Road.
Designed in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Multi-Use Trail Design Guidelines, it will include separation for pedestrians and cyclists from vehicle traffic, intersection improvements, and enhanced safety measures such as new lighting, pavement markings, and an all-way stop at Barkdene Hills.
These upgrades support the City’s Vision Zero goals to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries.
For years, accessing Bluffer’s Park has been challenging for pedestrians and cyclists due to narrow roads, steep grades, and growing congestion as the waterfront attracts thousands of visitors each year. The new trail provides a safer and more reliable connection into the park, as well as critical infrastructure for vulnerable road users.
Construction activities are expected to extend through mid-2027.
Once complete, the Brimley Road South Multi-Use Trail will serve as the main access into Bluffer’s Park and improve connectivity along the Scarborough shoreline. It will also support future phases of the Scarborough Waterfront Project, including the upcoming West Segment shoreline works.
Beyond safety and access, the trail encourages active transportation and promotes tourism along the Scarborough waterfront, including the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, which crosses Brimley Road in this area.
With this milestone underway, TRCA continues to deliver safe, sustainable connections that expand recreational opportunities and implement TRCA’s Trail Strategy for the Greater Toronto Area Region.
For more information about the Scarborough Waterfront Project, including project updates and upcoming phases, please visit the Scarborough Waterfront Project.
Quotes:
“Breaking ground on the Brimley Road South Multi-Use Trail is an exciting step for our community. This trail will make it safer and easier for people to get to Bluffer’s Park, enjoy the waterfront, and travel actively along Scarborough’s shoreline. I’m proud to see TRCA and the City of Toronto bring this vision to life for residents and visitors alike.”
– Deputy Mayor Paul Ainslie, City Councillor for Scarborough–Guildwood, and Chair of the Board of Directors at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
“When I took office in 2024, I heard from residents just how important this connection has been to the community for decades. From the start, we’ve worked collaboratively to bring this vision to life – and today, I’m proud to see the project entering the construction phase. By 2027, we’ll have a safe, accessible trail that enhances mobility for pedestrians and cyclists, maintains car access, and ensures everyone can continue to enjoy Bluffer’s Park for generations to come.”
– Councillor Parthi Kandavel, City Councillor for Scarborough Southwest and Member of the TRCA Board of Directors
“Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is proud to work in partnership with the City of Toronto and community partners, including the Great Lakes Waterfront Trust, to advance this important trail connection. The Brimley Road South Multi-Use Trail will provide safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, easier access for families, and stronger connections along the waterfront. It also marks the first step in the Scarborough Waterfront Project, enhancing accessibility and connecting and protecting the shoreline for years to come.”
– John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
About Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Since 1957, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), as enabled through the provincial Conservation Authorities Act, has taken action to enhance our region’s natural environment and protect our land, water, and communities from the impacts of flooding and increasingly extreme weather events – Ontario’s leading cause of public emergencies.
As the region’s first line of defence against natural hazards, TRCA maintains vital infrastructure and provides programs and services that promote public health and safety, protecting people and property. TRCA mobilizes a science-based approach to provide sound policy advice, leveraging its position as a not-for-profit operating in the broader public sector to achieve collective impacts within our communities and across all levels of government.
TRCA’s dedication to its employees and sustainability has earned it recognition as both one of Greater Toronto’s Top Employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. These distinctions highlight TRCA’s commitment to fostering a supportive, innovative, and environmentally responsible workplace – dedicated to driving meaningful change and create lasting positive impacts in the communities it serves.
TRCA’s jurisdiction includes nine watersheds and their Lake Ontario shorelines, spanning six upper-tier and fifteen lower-tier municipalities and representing almost five million people, approximately 10% of Canada’s population.
To learn more about TRCA, visit trca.ca.
Media Contact
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
Afiya Jilani
Specialist, Communication and Media Relations
Communications, Marketing and Events
afiya.jilani@trca.ca
media@trca.ca