Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the City of Toronto, is undertaking maintenance works on existing shoreline erosion control structures along Lake Ontario within Humber Bay Park West.
This work will protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.
STAY INFORMED
Implementation is scheduled to begin January 2026. Upon mobilization of TRCA construction crews, regular progress updates will be provided in the Construction Updates section. Please reach out to the project manager if you have any questions.
Learn More About the Project
Project Location
The project area is in Humber Bay Park West, south of Lake Shore Boulevard West, at the mouth of Mimico Creek in the City of Toronto.
The areas of concern include five armourstone headlands and three rubble beaches which make up most of the park’s shoreline.
Project Background
Humber Bay Park West Park was built in the 1970s and 1980s with excavated materials and rubble surplus from construction projects. The park features a series of erosion control structures to protect the shoreline.
The shoreline erosion control structures within the project area have been monitored annually since 2006 as part of TRCA’s Erosion Risk Management Program (ERMP). Eight structures are planned for maintenance.
Severe weather events, including record high lake levels in 2017 and 2019, as well as severe winds from the April 2018 storm event, have accelerated the deteriorating condition of these structures.
Most of the structures are considered to be in failing or failed condition and require major maintenance to return them to a state of good repair.
Existing Concrete/Construction Rubble Beaches
There are three concrete/construction rubble beaches of concern. A significant amount of the original material has washed away, exposing the backshore to erosion from wind and wave activity.
At two of these beaches, the erosion scour is encroaching on park paths, posing a public safety risk.
Existing Armourstone Headlands
There are also five armourstone headlands of concern. All five structures have experienced erosion and the displacement of armourstone material to varying degrees.
For some headlands, erosion is encroaching on paths placing public safety at risk, particularly within transition areas between beaches and headlands.
TRCA retained professional coastal engineering consultant GHD to develop detailed designs for repair of the existing erosion control structures in order to address ongoing erosion and safety hazards.
Final detailed designs are expected at the end of November 2025.
Repair works will include maintenance to the headlands, which will the addition of armourstone and in some cases extension of the headlands to better protect the transition areas.
The extent of headland maintenance will vary based on current site conditions and wave action in that particular area.
Beach maintenance will include surcharging with fine to coarse pebble material to maintain a balance between shoreline resiliency and recreational function.
Scope of Work
Public Notices and Events
Drop-In Information Session
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
VIEW THE INFORMATION SESSION PANELS.
Drop-In Information Session
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
VIEW THE INFORMATION SESSION PANELS.
Notice of Construction
Notice of Construction signage will be placed in Humber Bay Park West prior to construction.
VIEW THE NOPC SIGN.
Public Notice of Minor Works (Transport Canada)
TRCA has issued a Public Notice of Minor Works in accordance with Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program (NPP) notification requirements.
VIEW THE NPP MINOR WORKS PUBLIC NOTICE.
Construction Updates
TRCA construction crews are scheduled to mobilize on site in January 2026. Regular construction progress updates will be provided upon mobilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will construction begin and how long will it take?
Implementation is scheduled to begin January 2026. At this time, it is expected that construction activities for Humber Bay Park West will take approximately two years to complete; however, the schedule is subject to change. Only one phase will be closed at a time. Refer to the Project Timing and Phasing panel.
How many trucks will use the access route?
Approximately eight to twelve trucks per day are expected between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).
How is this work being funded?
This project is funded by the City of Toronto and also received federal grant funding from Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation Adaptation fund.
How is the shoreline maintenance strategy determined?
Coastal engineers assess the lake conditions to understand what type of wave action and water levels the park will experience to determine what types of materials and structures will be strong enough to protect the park from damage. This is considered along with park features and usage to design the shoreline maintenance solution.
Why are so many TRCA waterfront projects happening at once?
TRCA was a successful proponent of Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, which supplements municipal funding up to 40% to support these shoreline protection projects.
While this funding helps to strengthen the Toronto shoreline at a reduced municipal cost, the projects receiving the funding need to be implemented within a particular timeframe.
Although this does mean more work occurring at the same time, it also means that more of the shoreline can be updated to protect against increased erosion due to climate change.
Are you planning to close this park while others are closed?
Humber Bay Park West is scheduled to begin January 2026 and will therefore overlap with any remaining Humber Bay Park East work. Undertaking Humber Bay Park West in phases will help minimize closed portions of the park.
What is being done to reduce tree impacts?
- Limiting equipment access points to open areas (where possible) to reduce tree impacts, including avoiding or limiting work around mature trees.
- Compensating for any removed trees or shrubs with new plantings, on-site (where possible) and off-site, as required by the City of Toronto Urban Forestry permitting process.
How will wildlife be protected?
- Undertaking tree removals outside of the nesting window under the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
- Phasing construction to limit active areas of disturbance for aquatic wildlife.
Will beach access be impacted?
New beach material will be placed, as per design, between a 3:1 and 4:1 slope. This is similar to constructed grades of the beaches during development of the park in the 1970s.
The design allows for movement of the new beach material. However, it is expected that access to the shoreline will not be impeded.
Will exposed rebar be removed?
This park was created with excavated materials and rubble surplus from construction projects in the City of Toronto in the 1970s. This material included concrete with reinforced with rebar. Over time waves have eroded the concrete, leaving exposed rebar.
Where possible, rebar will be removed in the work areas during construction, however over time as the lake shifts the new beach material within the beach area it is likely that rebar will gradually become re-exposed.
What are the impacts to informal trails and park benches?
Minor informal trail re-alignment is proposed along the north beach to provide buffer from eroded slope.
Any benches within the work area that need to be temporarily removed will be re-instated in areas to maintain sightlines and ensure public safety in coordination with City of Toronto Parks and Recreation staff.
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Danielle Dellandrea, Senior Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
HBPW.Shoreline.Maintenance@trca.ca