Nature-based Project to Stabilize Ajax Waterfront Park Shoreline and Improve Aquatic Habitat
April 9, 2026 – Toronto, ON – On April 9, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the Canada Water Agency, announced the implementation of the Ajax Shoreline Project. The work will address long-standing erosion and stabilize part of the shoreline within Ajax Waterfront Park, helping keep the area safe and accessible.
The announcement brought together project partners and community representatives to celebrate the launch of the project’s first phase. Participants included John MacKenzie, Chief Executive Officer of TRCA; Mayor Dave Barton of the Township of Uxbridge, who also serves as Chair of TRCA’s Board of Directors and the Conservation Ontario Board of Directors; Jennifer McKelvie, Member of Parliament for Ajax and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure; Jennifer McKay, Executive Director of Freshwater Management for Ontario, Canada Water Agency; and Regional Councillor Joanne Dies of the Town of Ajax and a Member of TRCA’s Board of Directors, along with representatives of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
Ajax Waterfront Park has served the community for more than 60 years. Over time, ongoing erosion has affected shoreline stability, creating risks for nearby infrastructure, including sections of the Waterfront Trail.
The project takes a nature-based approach to shoreline protection, using cobbles and larger stones to mimic the lake’s historic coastal conditions and work in harmony with natural processes. Over time, natural wave action will gradually shift these materials into place, helping to establish a more stable and gradual shoreline. Much of the larger material will remain below the waterline, supporting long-term stability while improving habitat for aquatic and shoreline species.
Funded through the Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, the Ajax Shoreline Project is an example of collaboration between conservation authorities and government partners working together to deliver innovative shoreline solutions. The program supports work that restores and protects coastal areas, improves water quality, and contributes to healthier aquatic ecosystems.
While this work focuses on the Ajax shoreline, it is part of the Land to Lake Initiative supported by the Canada Water Agency. Across Western Lake Ontario, municipalities and conservation authorities, including TRCA, are collaborating on coordinated projects that include shoreline restoration and infrastructure improvements.
Construction of the first phase is now underway, marking an exciting step forward. Future phases will extend the restoration east toward Veteran’s Point Gardens and west toward Lion’s Point. TRCA is committed to advancing restoration efforts and ensuring the shoreline remains a safe, vibrant, and enjoyable destination for everyone in the community for years to come.
Quotes:
“This project demonstrates what strong partnerships can achieve for our communities. By investing in nature-based solutions, we’re protecting the Ajax shoreline while preserving an important public space for residents and future generations. It reflects our government’s commitment to safeguarding freshwater ecosystems and strengthening climate resilience across the Great Lakes.”
– Jennifer McKelvie, Member of Parliament for Ajax and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
“Projects like the Ajax Shoreline Restoration show how strong partnerships and local action can help protect and restore the Great Lakes. The Canada Water Agency is proud to support efforts that strengthen shoreline resilience, improve ecosystem health, and help protect freshwater resources for communities now and into the future.”
– Jennifer McKay, Executive Director of Freshwater Management for Ontario, Canada Water Agency
“This project reflects the kind of collaborative, science-based work that conservation authorities are uniquely positioned to deliver. Through the Land to Lake Initiative, TRCA and its municipal partners are taking a coordinated, regional approach to addressing shoreline erosion, improving water quality, and strengthening the resilience of our waterfront communities.”
– Mayor Dave Barton, Township of Uxbridge, and Chair of the Board of Directors, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
“The Ajax Shoreline Project shows how innovative, nature-based solutions can address erosion while delivering real benefits for the community. We’re grateful for the Canada Water Agency’s support through the Government of Canada’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, which is helping advance work to protect coastal areas, improve water quality, and protect these well-used sections of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and Trans Canada Trail.”
– 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