Bluffer’s Park South Headland and Beach Major Maintenance Project – 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 Bluffer’s Park in order to protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.

Project Location

The project area is located in Bluffer’s Park, at 1 Brimley Road South, at the base of Brimley Road in Scarborough, City of Toronto. The area of concern includes the southernmost headland and adjacent beaches, located at the southwest limits of the park on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

Phases of work for the Bluffer’s Park South Headland and Beach Major Maintenance Project. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Learn More About the Project

Project Background

Bluffer’s Park was built as part of a large lakefilling operation from the early 1960s to mid 1970s, and includes a series of armourstone headlands, beaches, and revetments for erosion control protection. Since its construction, the landform has been used as a public park, and features formal walking trails, public beaches, marinas, and open green spaces that overlook Lake Ontario. The project area includes the southernmost headland and its adjacent beaches; the headland is lined by an armourstone revetment and the beach is constructed of a mix of cobble, gravel, and concrete rubble material.

Aerial view of the south headland located in the project area at Bluffer’s Park. Source: TRCA, 2017.
View of the cobble, gravel, and concrete rubble beach within the project area at Bluffer’s Park. Source: TRCA, 2017.

In 2006, TRCA began conducting annual inspections of the structures within Bluffer’s Park as a part of the Erosion Risk Management Program (ERMP). Following a routine inspection of the headland and beaches system in 2017, the ERMP identified weak spots at the southern tip of the headland and mid-section of the beach from wave action and loss of structure material due to severe storms and high Lake levels.

Weakened area of Bluffer’s Park south headland where rock material was lost from continued wave action. Source: TRCA, 2017.

On April 14-15 2018, the Toronto Region experienced a severe wind storm which caused extreme wave action in Lake Ontario. The waves caused significant damage to the headland and beach, washing large amounts of stone material into the lake and onto the park tableland, and scouring the shoreline. The wave activity from the storm resulted in the complete collapse of the weakened portion of the headland.

Damage to Bluffer’s Park south headland following April 14-15 2018 ice storm. Source: TRCA, 2018.
Rubble material washed ashore from the beach during the April 14-15 2018 ice storm. Source: TRCA, 2018.

In the spring of 2018, TRCA retained Riggs Engineering Limited to develop engineered design solutions for repair of the damaged structures. An interim design was developed and implemented to temporarily stabilize the headland while a long-term solution was in development. Interim works were completed in January 2019 and involved the placement of armourstone in the large failure section of the headland.

The interim works (Phase I) were designed to provide temporary protection to the parkland for the winter and spring months when ice and wave action place the structure at increased risk for further damage. The interim solution is intended to prevent further damage to the park until the long-term solution could be implemented. The long-term solution includes repair of the remainder of the headland as well as the adjacent beach, and will be implemented as Phase II (headland) and Phase III (beach).

Completed interim works. Source: TRCA, 2019.

The project scope also includes a fourth phase (Phase IV: West Beach Long-Term Works) for the maintenance/repair of the beach west of the headland. Similar to the headland and beach, the west beach has continued to experience degradation from wave action and severe weather events.

Scope of Work

The general scope of work for the Project includes the following items:

  • Phase I: Interim Works – completed January 2019
  • Phase II: Headland Long-term Works – completed Summer 2020
  • Phase III: Beach Long-term Works – completed Spring 2021
  • Phase IV: West Beach Long-Term Works – Summer 2021 – Spring 2022*

*Timelines are subject to change

Construction Information

To ensure public safety, the west beach project area will be closed for the duration of the work. In an effort to provide the public with access to the shoreline, the limits of the access road will be opened on evenings and weekends.

For your safety, please respect all posted construction signs and stay clear of the work areas and equipment. Your cooperation and patience with this undertaking is appreciated. Please see the map below for details.

Trail access during Phase IV West Beach Long-Term Works
Trail access during Phase IV West Beach Long-Term Works. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Public Notices

A Notice of Construction was published in the June 13, 2019 edition of the Scarborough Mirror to inform the public of the project and construction timelines. The notice is available for viewing at the link below.

Notice of Construction – Phase II: Headland Long-Term Works

Notices of Construction signs have been installed at all applicable trail entrances, available for viewing at the link below.

Notice of Project Commencement – Phase II: Headland Long-Term Works

Notice of Project Commencement – Phase III: Beach Long-Term Works

Notice of Project Commencement – Phase IV: West Beach Long-Term Works

Progress Updates

Update: July 5, 2019

Site setup has commenced for Phase II headland works. The work area has been fenced off and erosion and sediment control measures have been installed. Tree hoarding measures have also been completed.

Example of tree hoarding measures within the project area. Source: TRCA, 2019.

Update: July 11, 2019

With site setup completed and erosion and sediment control measures in place, the replacement of the headland’s revetment has commenced.

Replacement of the armourstone revetment of the headland. Source: TRCA, 2019.

Update: October 7, 2019

Construction continues on the revetment. Crews are replacing the armourstone along the revetment with new and suitable reusable materials. A second layer of armourstone will be added to the headland for added protection against wave action.

Replacement of the revetment on the western portion of the headland. Source: TRCA, 2019.

Update: December 23, 2019

Construction continues along the revetment. Crews are working to complete treatment along the toe of the revetment with new and suitable reusable materials.

Replacement of the armourstone revetment of the headland. Source: TRCA, 2019.

Update: February 10, 2020

Construction continues along the revetment with movement towards the eastern, and final section of the headland.

Crews to begin works on the eastern, and final section of the headland, as shown. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: April 13, 2020

Construction crews working on completing the crest of the eastern section of the headland.

Crews placing armourstone on the crest of eastern section of headland. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: May 26, 2020

Construction crews finalizing the crest at the eastern section of the headland.

Crews placing armourstone on the crest and splash pad at the eastern section of the headland. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: June 26, 2020

Construction crews placing armourstone on the crest on the western portion of the headland.

Crews placing armourstone along the crest on the western portion of the headland. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: August 4, 2020

Construction crews have completed the armourstone works along the headland and have begun works on the splash pad.

Crews completing works on the splash pad at the western section of the headland.Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: August 24, 2020

Site setup for Phase III: Beach Long-Term Works has begun. Tree hoarding and erosion and sediment control measures have been installed.

Example of tree hoarding and erosion and sediment control measures along the Phase III beach. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: September 25, 2020

Crews placing stone along the revetment with an excavator.

Crews placing stones along the beach. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: October 20, 2020

Crews preparing for the next section of the revetment by removing rubble material and installing necessary erosion and sediment control measures.

Crews preparing for the next section of the revetment. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: November 25, 2020

Crews beginning work on the armourstone stacked revetment in the midsection of the structure.

Crews working on the armourstone revetment in the midsection of the structure. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: December 17, 2020

Crews installing base layer of stepped armourstone at the mid-section of the structure.

Crews installing base layer of stepped armourstone at the mid-section of the structure. Source: TRCA, 2020.

Update: April 15, 2021

Crews completing beach curb revetment.

Crews completing beach curb revetment. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: May 21, 2021

Trail restoration of headland.

Trail restoration work along headland
Trail restoration work along headland. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: July 30, 2021

Phase IV: West Beach Long-Term Works has commenced with construction crews installing toe stone for the armourstone revetment.

Toe stone installation along west beach.
Toe stone installation along west beach. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: September 3, 2021

Crews installing 2-4 tonne armourstone along the revetment.

Armourstone installation along west beach revetment.
Armourstone installation along west beach revetment. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: October 1, 2021

Crews installing special placement capstone along the crest of the revetment.

Capstone placement along crest of west beach revetment.
Capstone placement along crest of west beach revetment. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: November 17, 2021

Crews installing toe stone for the armourstone wall along the western portion of the beach.

Toe stone installation for west beach armourstone wall.
Toe stone installation for west beach armourstone wall. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: December 17, 2021

Site to be closed from December 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022. Work will resume on January 4, 2022.

Construction progress of the armourstone wall along the east section of the west beach.
Construction progress of the armourstone wall along the east section of the west beach. Source: TRCA, 2021.
Construction progress of the armourstone revetment along the west section of the west beach.
Construction progress of the armourstone revetment along the west section of the west beach. Source: TRCA, 2021.

Update: January 14, 2022

Work has resumed following the holiday closure. Crews continue placement of material for the armourstone wall.

Construction progress along east section of armourstone wall
Construction progress along east section of armourstone wall. Source: TRCA, 2022.
Construction progress along west section of armourstone wall
Construction progress along west section of armourstone wall. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Update: February 25, 2022

Crews installing crest stones along the east section of the armourstone wall.

Installation of crest stone along east section of armourstone wall
Installation of crest stone along east section of armourstone wall. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Update: March 11, 2022

Crews placing stone at the west limit of the armourstone wall to tie into the existing headland.

Placement of 2-4 tonne stone at west limit of the armourstone wall.
Placement of 2-4 tonne stone at west limit of the armourstone wall. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Update: April 4, 2022

Crews undertaking restoration of the staging/stockpiling area.

Crews undertaking restoration of the staging area.
Crews undertaking restoration of the staging area. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Update: May 18, 2022

Restoration works are complete with topsoil and grass seed mix placed in areas disturbed during construction (staging/stockpiling area and access routes).

Please note: site fencing will remain in place around the restored areas to allow for grass growth in the newly seeded areas. Fencing is scheduled to be removed in mid-June 2022.

Overall completed structure
Overall completed structure. Source: TRCA, 2022.
Restoration progress along access route
Restoration progress along access route. Source: TRCA, 2022.
Restoration progress in staging area
Restoration progress in staging area. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Update: June 10, 2022

Restoration works are complete and the site fencing has been removed. The site is now fully open to the public.

Condition of completed armourstone wall and adjacent beach
Condition of completed armourstone wall and adjacent beach. Source: TRCA, 2022.
Restored access route and staging area
Restored access route and staging area. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Update: June 22, 2022

All TRCA components of the project are now complete including construction of all structures for Headland WF22.04 and Beaches WF22.03 and WF22.05, as well as site restoration work. The site is now fully open to the public.

Aerial view of the overall completion of the structures along the headland and adjacent beaches.
Overall completion of the structures along the headland and adjacent beaches. Source: TRCA, 2022.

Contact Us

The Planning Team is located at TRCA’s Boyd Field Centre in Vaughan:

Restoration & Infrastructure Division, Erosion Risk Management
9755 Canada Company Avenue
Vaughan, Ontario
L4H 0A3

For more information regarding this project, please contact Danielle Dellandrea, Project Manager.

Danielle Dellandrea, Project Manager 
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
danielle.dellandrea@trca.ca
416-786-5064