Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the City of Toronto, is undertaking maintenance works on four (4) existing shoreline erosion control structures within Bluffer’s Park.
TRCA will address current erosion hazards and improve resiliency to prevent future hazards to infrastructure and park users.
Project Location
The Project Area is within Bluffer’s Park, located at the base of Brimley Road South along Lake Ontario, in the City of Toronto.
The area of concern includes two (2) headlands and two (2) revetments along the shoreline in proximity to the Bluffer’s Park Marina, centrally located in the park.
Learn More About the Project
Project Background
The system of erosion control structures along the shoreline of Bluffer’s Park includes a series of headlands, beaches, and revetments.
The structures to be addressed as part of this project were constructed in the mid-late 1970s during the development of Bluffer’s Park. Over the past 45 years, these structures have progressively deteriorated through a combination of armourstone displacement, concrete rubble degradation, backshore erosion, wave overtopping, and ice impacts.
The headland structures are primarily comprised of armourstone material, with riprap material also present throughout the structures. TRCA’s Erosion Risk Management Program (ERMP) monitoring records categorize both headlands as “failing” with displacement observed throughout the toe of both structures.
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The West Revetment, located between the two headlands, is comprised primarily of concrete rubble with supplementary rip rap material. ERMP monitoring records indicate that the revetment is in a “failing” overall condition with evidence of displacement and backshore scouring observed in 2022.
The East Revetment, located east of the headlands, is comprised primarily of concrete rubble and also contains rip rap and sand. ERMP records indicate this structure is “at risk” with observed displacement at each end.
The most eastern end of structure also experienced significant damage during storm events prompting interim repairs in 2019 and 2020. Some displacement has been observed since these repairs were implemented.
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Scope of Work
The goal of this project is to restore and enhance the original erosion protection capabilities of the headlands and revetments by repairing the existing structures.
The general scope/sequence of work for this project includes the following:
Completed Steps:
- Complete a baseline inventory of the Project Area
- Retain a qualified engineer to complete a coastal analysis and detailed designs for maintenance
- Develop detailed designs to reinforce the existing shoreline erosion control structures, increase resiliency to changing lake levels and wave impacts, as well as promoting aquatic habitat enhancement in Lake Ontario
- Acquire necessary permits and approvals required for construction
- Undertake site setup and establish staging/stockpile areas, including tree removals, installation of Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) measures, construction fencing and tree protection
- Reconstruct East Revetment with an armourstone slope
- Reinforce armourstone on West Headland (primarily at the toe)
- Install appropriate sized cobble/riprap and gravel material to improve aquatic habitat
- Reinforce armourstone on East Headland (primarily at the toe)
- Reconstruct West Revetment with an armourstone slope
- Formalize crest of East Revetment
- Complete site restoration and demobilization
Public Notices
Prior to implementation, Notices of Construction were placed at various locations surrounding the project area.
In accordance with Transport Canada’s Navigation Protection Program (NPP) notification requirements, TRCA has issued a Public Notice of Minor Works
Construction Progress Updates
This section will be used to provide construction progress updates for the duration of the project. To ensure public safety, the project area, and trails within the project area, will remain closed for the duration of construction activities. Work is expected to be complete in late 2025.
November 2025
- Crews have completed all shoreline work in the park and demobilized
- Fencing remains up surrounding the parking lot to ensure grass establishment is not stunted by trampling
2025 PROJECT UPDATES
September 30, 2025
- Crews have been working on the West Revetment and the tie in between the East Revetment and the East Headland
August 29, 2025
- The access road for the second half of the East Headland has been constructed
- Placement of material for the aquatic habitat shoal has begun
July 31, 2025
- 50% of the East Headland construction has been completed
- 15 meters of the access road for the second half of the East Headland has been constructed
June 30, 2025
- 50% of the access road has been completed on the East Headland
- 5 meters of underwater structure has been formalized on the East Headland
May 30, 2025
- Aquatic habitat surcharge shoals completed on the West Headland
- 20 meters of underwater treatment remaining to be formalized on the West Headland
- 20 meters of access road created on the East Headland
April 30, 2025
- 25 meters of under water structure has been formalized for the West Headland
- Gravel fish spawning bed installed
March 31, 2025
- East Revetment slope work has been completed, crest formalization currently underway
- Deliveries of 1-2 tonne armourstone began
February 28, 2025
- 70 meters of revetment has been completed
- Snow removal following extreme snowfall events and repair of damaged fence panels was completed
January 31, 2025
- 50 meters of revetment has been completed
- Necessary tree removals have been completed
2024 PROJECT UPDATES
December 16, 2024
- Tree hoarding and site setup has been completed
- Construction has begun and an access road to the East Revetment constructed
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Danielle Dellandrea, Senior Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
danielle.dellandrea@trca.ca
(416) 786-5064