Bluffer’s Park Central Maintenance

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.

Map of the project area within Bluffer’s Park. Source: TRCA, 2024.

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.

Headland WF22.09 existing conditions. Source: TRCA, 2024.

Headland WF22.07 existing conditions. Source: TRCA, 2024.

Revetment WF22.08, 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 Revetment WF22.10, 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.

Revetment WF22.08 existing conditions. Source: TRCA, 2024.

Revetment WF22.10 existing conditions. Source: TRCA, 2024.

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 Revetment WF22.10 with an armourstone slope (slope work complete)

In Progress:

  • Reinforce the armourstone Headland WF22.07 (primarily at the toe)
  • Install appropriate sized cobble/riprap and gravel material to improve aquatic habitat

Next Steps:

  • Reinforce the armourstone Headland WF22.09 (primarily at the toe)
  • Reconstruct Revetment WF22.08 with an armourstone slope
  • Reconstruct Revetment WF22.10 with an armourstone slope (crest to be formalized)
  • 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.

April 30, 2025

  • 25 meters of under water structure has been formalized for the northern headland
  • Gravel fish spawning bed installed
Excavator placing toe material. Source: TRCA, 2025.
Imported material for fish habitat components. Source: TRCA, 2025.
2025 PROJECT UPDATES

March 31, 2025

  • Revetment slope work has been completed, crest formalization currently underway
  • Deliveries of 1-2 tonne armourstone began
View of the completed revetment looking south. Source: TRCA, 2025.
Load of material being delivered by live bottom truck. Source: TRCA, 2025.

February 28, 2025

  • 70 meters of revetment has been completed
  • Snow removal following extreme snowfall events and repair of damaged fence panels was completed
Crews place geotextile on the slope of the revetment ahead of placing armourstone. Source: TRCA, 2025.
Finished placement of geotextile on the revetment slope ahead of armourstone placement. Source: TRCA, 2025.

January 31, 2025

  • 50 meters of revetment has been completed
  • Necessary tree removals have been completed
Crews layout placement of material ahead of excavation. Source: TRCA, 2024
Excavator place material according to layout prior to cut. Source: TRCA, 2025.

 

2024 PROJECT UPDATES

December 16, 2024

  • Tree hoarding and site setup has been completed
  • Construction has begun and an access road to the Revetment WF22.10 constructed
Tree hoarding and ESC installed within the site closure. Source: TRCA, 2024.
Constructed access road for Revetment WF22.10. Source: TRCA, 2024.

 

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