Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the City of Toronto, is undertaking maintenance work on an existing shoreline erosion control structure in Cliff Lumsdon Park. This work will provide long-term protection against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.
Project Location
The Project Area is located within Cliff Lumsdon Park at the intersection of Sixth Street and Lake Shore Drive in Etobicoke, City of Toronto.
The area of concern is the revetment located along the Lake Ontario shoreline, consisting of deteriorating concrete erosion protection on the east side of the park and a failing armourstone revetment on the west side.
Learn More About the Project
Project Background
Cliff Lumsdon Park is part of a series of waterfront parks located along Lake Ontario in the west end of the City of Toronto.
The park was once the site of the New Toronto Filtration Plant, later converted to the Lakeshore Pumping Station. The plant ceased operation in 1992 and was removed from the site in 2000.
The park currently features a pumping station monument, a large lawn area, several benches, and an unobstructed view of the City of Toronto skyline. It is a popular location among members of the local community, particularly dog owners.
The Project Area includes a 270 m long revetment made of armourstone and stacked concrete rubble material. Two City of Toronto stormwater outfalls discharge into Lake Ontario through the revetment.
The revetment structure has been exposed to continued wave and wind action, as well as recent severe weather events, such as high Lake Ontario water levels in 2017 and 2019, and the April 14/15, 2018 wind storm. This has resulted in the deterioration of the structure and erosion of the park land.
This structure and the other nearby erosion control structures have been monitored annually since 2006 as part of TRCA’s Erosion Risk Management Program (ERMP).
The inspections showed major deficiencies in the structure such as backshore erosion, scouring and displacement of fill. The concrete rubble material has been deteriorating, leaving behind exposed rebar.
These deficiencies place the park at further risk of erosion and present hazards to public safety.
In 2022, TRCA retained Riggs Associates Ltd., a coastal engineering consulting firm, to develop detailed designs for repairs of the concrete slab revetment to address the ongoing shoreline erosion and public safety hazards.
Repair works will include removal of the existing erosion control structure and reconstructing it as a berm revetment with new and reused material to provide long-term shoreline protection and ensure public safety.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for this project includes the following components:
- Site preparation, including tree removals/protection, installation of Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) measures and construction fencing, and the establishment of staging/stockpiling areas and a construction access route
- Removal of the existing structure and rebuilding of a new revetment through placement of large rip rap in a sloped berm configuration
- Installation of fish habitat features below the water
- Site restoration and demobilization, including reseeding and tree plantings
The proposed modifications will allow the shoreline erosion control structure to better absorb wave impact and be more resilient to changing to lake levels, as well as promote aquatic habitat enhancement in Lake Ontario.
Construction Information
Work began in January 2025, and is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2025. Any timeline updates will be posted here as the project progresses.
Construction activities will include material deliveries to the park by construction trucks on weekdays during work hours. The full site access and closure areas can be seen in the Notice of Construction, linked in the Public Notices section.
To ensure public safety, portions of Cliff Lumsdon Park is closed for the duration of construction activities. Rotary Peace Park and Twelfth Street will remain open to the public during construction and are both located within walking distance.
Public Notices
Notice of Construction
Signs have been placed at near the Project Area that include detailed construction information, timelines and park closures. Letters containing project information have also be circulated to members of the community. The Notice of Construction sign is available here:
Cliff Lumsdon Park Revetment Major Maintenance Project – Notice of Construction Sign
Project Updates
April 17, 2025
Construction continues with progress on the upper part of the slope, with 48 m of having been completed.
March 28, 2025
Construction has begun with the placement of 75 m of armourstone along the toe of the shoreline. Cobblestones have been placed in the shallow water to act as fish habitat.
February 14, 2025
Site Setup has been completed with necessary tree and vegetation removals along the shoreline. The crew has begun receiving and storing rip-rap material on-site in preparation for shoreline work.
January 24, 2025
Construction staff have mobilized on-site and have set up fencing, equipment and access routes. Site Setup will continue with necessary tree and vegetation removals along the shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the extent of the changes to the park?
The work being done at the park is routine maintenance and is limited to the repair of the damaged shoreline erosion control structures. This is to ensure that the park has long-term protection against erosion to maintain a safe and enjoyable public space.
What green space will be available while construction is happening?
Cliff Lumsdon Park will be partially closed, while large portions of the park will remain open, as shown in the project map. Additionally, the nearby Prince of Wales Park (1 Third Street) and Rotary Peace Park (25 Eleventh Street) are open for public use.
Will the park features be changed or altered?
There are no plans to change the character or features of the park. It will retain its current seating and green space areas that are frequently used by the public.
Will there be an increase in traffic to the nearby communities?
It is expected that no more than eight trucks will be accessing the site per day during peak construction, with half arriving at the site before 8:00 a.m. and the other half arriving in the early afternoon.
In general, large delivery trucks will be accessing the site by driving down Sixth Street from Lake Shore Boulevard West and driving back up Seventh Street, as shown in the project map.
This recommended route is the most direct and minimizes the number of turns within the residential community.
Contact Us
The Planning Team is located at TRCA’s Boyd Field Centre in Vaughan:
Restoration and Infrastructure Division, Erosion Risk Management
9755 Canada Company Avenue
Vaughan, Ontario
L4H 0A3
For more information regarding this project, please contact the Project Manager:
Whitney Brennan, Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure
whitney.brennan@trca.ca
(647) 212-6871