LATEST PROJECT NEWS:
Additional restoration work is underway to improve grass conditions.
Temporary fencing has been installed to support grass establishment and will be removed as soon as conditions allow.
Although many areas have grown, others remain sparse due to continued foot traffic.
We kindly ask park users to stay out of fenced off areas to help support grass growth. TRCA thanks park users for their cooperation and patience while this final restoration work is completed.
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 Prince of Wales Park. This work will protect the park against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.
Project Location
The project area is located in Prince of Wales Park near the intersection of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Islington Avenue in the City of Toronto. The area of concern includes three existing erosion control structures that are located along the north shore of Lake Ontario.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project Background
The existing erosion control structures in Prince of Wales Park were built in the 1970s and have deteriorated over time due to continuous wave activity. Recent severe weather events have exacerbated this damage, including the 2017 and 2019 Lake Ontario high water levels and the April 14-15, 2018 windstorm event. This damage has caused the structures to fail and led to erosion along the park shoreline which presents a public safety hazard. The objective of the work is to repair the existing erosion control structures to protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and reduce the risk to public safety.
Armourstone Groyne
An armourstone groyne is located at the southern tip of the park and extends into the lake. Stone material has been displaced along the length of the groyne, reducing its effectiveness and leading to scouring along the shoreline. Continued deterioration of the groyne places the park shoreline at risk and presents a public safety hazard.
Concrete/Rubble Beach
The beach has experienced displacement of material in addition to scouring and undercutting along the backshore. Caution fencing is currently required to stop park users from accessing sections of the shoreline along the beach due to existing safety hazards.
Armourstone Revetment
The armourstone revetment has experienced displacement of armourstone material and backshore scouring throughout its length, with larger scours at the eastern limit where the structure approaches neighbouring properties. Continued deterioration of the structure may result in additional backshore erosion, placing park users and City of Toronto infrastructure at risk.
TRCA retained GHD Limited to develop detailed designs for repair of the existing erosion control structures in order to address ongoing erosion and safety hazards. Repair works will include dismantling the existing structures and building a new double-layer armourstone revetment to provide long-term shoreline protection.
Scope of Work
The scope of work includes the following components:
- Site preparation, including installation of safety fencing, access roads, staging and stockpiling areas, tree protection, and Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) measures
- Repair of the structures using both new and reusable stone material
- Stormwater outfall modifications
- Installation of fish habitat features below the water
- Site restoration, including tree plantings and reseeding of grass areas
Construction Information
Shoreline maintenance work has been completed and there is no further construction activity expected. Portions of the park remain closed to support grass establishment as part of final restoration activities.
Public Notices
Restoration
Notice of Construction
Signs with detailed construction information were posted on-site at applicable park entrances and affected trail routes. The Notice of Construction is available for viewing below:
Major Maintenance Work
Notice of Construction
Signs with detailed construction information were posted on-site at applicable park entrances and affected trail routes. Letters were also circulated to members of the local community. The Notice of Construction is available for viewing below:
Outfall Modifications
Notice of Construction
Signs with detailed construction information have been posted on-site at applicable park entrances and affected trail routes. The Notice of Construction is available for viewing below:
Progress Updates
July 2026: Park areas remain fenced off to support continued grass establishment. Although many areas have grown, others remain sparse due to continued foot traffic and localized areas have been re-seeded. We kindly ask park users to stay out of fenced off areas to help support grass growth.
May 2026: The park remains fenced off to support grass establishment this spring. Grass is beginning to grow but remains sparse.
October 2025: Additional restoration work is underway to help improve grass conditions. The previous work area was re-seeded and fenced off for the winter to protect the seed and support growth in the spring season.
May 2025: Crews were on site to undertake regrading around outfall fencing. While on site crews aerated and seeded the park turf to improve grass growth.
December 2024: Work on the outfall fencing has been completed and the temporary fencing surrounding the work area has been completed. Restoration tree plantings have also been completed and the park has been reseeded.
October 2024: Ste restoration has commenced following completion of outfall modification works earlier this year. As part of the restoration works, reseeded areas will be fenced off to allow for grass to sufficiently establish before it can be walked on. Additionally, trees will be planted throughout the park to compensate for tree removals as per City of Toronto Urban Forestry guidelines.
June 2024: The outfall modification works are complete, and the construction crew has demobilized. The work area will be fenced off until final site restoration is completed in Fall 2024.
May 2024: Crews continue to work on the outfall modifications.
April 2024: The site set up for the outfall modification works has begun, including the installation of safety fencing and the establishment of a construction access route.
November 2023: Following grass establishment throughout the site, construction fencing has been removed and the park is fully open to the public. TRCA will continue to monitor grass conditions in Spring 2024 to determine if any reseeding is needed.
August 2023: Shoreline work is complete and the construction crew has demobilized. Reseeding has started and the site will remain fenced until the final site restoration and reseeding is completed.
June 2023: Work continues on capstone placement along the shoreline.
May 2023: In-water works have been completed and work has begun on placement of the capstone.
March 2023: Construction of the western portion of the shoreline has been completed, and an access road has been built to begin construction at the eastern limit of the park. The shoreline will be constructed back toward the completed section to join in the middle.
February 2023: The slope portion of the groyne has been completed and work is proceeding on the revetment.
November 2022: Site setup is complete and reconstruction of the shoreline has commenced.
October 2022: TRCA construction crews have mobilized and site setup has begun, including the trail closures, establishment of perimeter fencing, staging and stockpiling areas, tree protection zones, and erosion and sediment control measures. The work area and trails within it have been closed to ensure public safety.
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Rebecca Salvatore, Senior Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
rebecca.salvatore@trca.ca
416-560-1823