Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is planning major maintenance repairs in Colonel Samuel Smith Park on areas of the shoreline damaged by erosion.
TRCA will address current erosion hazards impacting the park and enhance protection around the shoreline to prevent future hazards to visitors.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
Project Background
Colonel Samuel Smith Park is a popular waterfront park that offers visitors ample recreational opportunities alongside dynamic wildlife habitats. The waterfront extension of the park was built in the 1980’s and includes popular shoreline trails for lake access.
The focus of TRCA’s major maintenance work will be along the outer shoreline of the park’s waterfront extension. While some sections of the outer shoreline are in good condition, maintenance of several erosion control structures has become necessary due to severe weather events and wave action that poses a potential hazard to park lands and shoreline trails.
Figure 2: Aerial view of erosion damage at Whimbrel Point, with stone wash out highlighted in orange. Source: TRCA, 2023
Of the 19 erosion control structures at Colonel Samuel Smith Park, TRCA identified 11 at a high or medium priority level for repairs.
TRCA will phase the construction work to ensure structures that pose the most immediate potential hazard to park visitors are repaired first, while also considering and accommodating migratory bird movement and wildlife communities.
Project Location
Colonel Samuel Smith Park is located at 3145 Lakeshore Boulevard West in Etobicoke. Within and adjacent to park boundaries are Humber College buildings, Lakeshore Yacht Club, two schools and a regional arts centre.
Additionally, the park itself includes several amenities such as a seasonal ice rink, off-leash dog park, the Powerhouse Rec Centre, and trails that extend along the man-made peninsula.
Events are held year-round in the park and attract many visitors from the surrounding residential community and beyond. The area is a prominent migration stopover point and nesting location for birds and is part of the City of Toronto’s Spring Bird Festival.
Project planning has incorporated feedback received during previous work in the area and included stakeholders from the surrounding organizations during the design and access planning process in order to accommodate the high activity level within the park.
The project will be phased to consider higher priority areas, as seen in Figure 7.
Maintenance to shoreline structures will occur along the southernmost shoreline for Phase 1 (below), and Phase 2 work will consist of the eastern shoreline.
Most of the work will address displaced stones of shoreline structures and bank erosion close to shoreline trails which can pose a potential hazard to park visitors and infrastructure.
Previous Projects and Studies
TRCA completed numerous studies of Colonel Samuel Smith Park as part of previous project works and ongoing habitat monitoring.
A baseline inventory was completed for the project area in 2021 to compile all the available information on the site. This inventory included species at risk screenings, mapping and historical data accrued through previous projects, flora and fauna inventories, and fish surveys to identify species present and their spawning activity in the area.
These studies were used in developing and selecting preferred designs for the park.
Additionally, TRCA obtained underwater mapping surveys in 2022 during the design process to understand the unique shoreline qualities of the project area more fully, shown in the map below.
This kind of survey, called Multibeam Echo Sounding (MBES), was the first of its kind procured by TRCA for shoreline maintenance.
TRCA continues to work with teams within the organization as well as community stakeholders during the design, development, and implementation planning process.
Habitat
Colonel Samuel Smith Park provides habitat for many plant and animal species, including bird, insect and reptile species at risk.
It is a popular site for photographers and nature enthusiasts, including community groups that monitor plant and animal species in the park.
A particularly popular area of the park is Whimbrel Point, which is part of the Phase 1 project work. For 3-5 days a year, Whimbrels use this area as a resting point on their migration to their breeding grounds in the arctic. The rocky headland is favoured by the Whimbrels, and the park hosts a “Whimbrel Watch” every year to celebrate their return to Whimbrel Point.
While repairs to shoreline protection structures on Whimbrel Point are not anticipated to negatively impact habitat used by Whimbrels and other birds, TRCA is taking measures to ensure that work on the headland is scheduled around migration periods.
Part of project access (see below) will also include driving along a trail that crosses through the wetland area.
To protect species within the wetland, fencing on either side of the trail will also include turtle fencing, which will prevent turtles and other animals from entering the access route.
Additionally, TRCA will conduct visual inspections of the access route in the wetland area to ensure no species are harmed during work.
TRCA will work diligently to ensure species in the project location are considered for the duration of the project. Areas affected by construction will undergo restoration plantings and any areas where construction activities could impact sensitive habitat or wildlife will be considered.
Scope of Work
The scope of work for this project includes the long-term repair or reconstruction of existing erosion control structures and securing the beach shoreline from continued problematic erosion:
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- Complete necessary surveys to understand the extent of structure damage above and below waterline
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- Development of concept designs
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- Obtain all permits and approvals
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- Prepare the site for construction, including site access, staging and stockpiling areas, sediment and erosion control measures, construction fencing as well as animal/turtle fencing to prevent harm to species in the area
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- Complete major maintenance repair works in phases
- Restore the site using tree and shrub plantings as needed
Access
In order to access the project area, construction teams will have to utilize existing park trails.
Discussions on the best routes and times to close trails for access are ongoing, with initial access proposed from the Gatehouse Laneway, connecting to the southernmost trail via the paved pedestrian trail.
Teams tentatively plan to open part or all of the project area during evenings and weekends, dependent on project scope and phase.
Phase 1 implementation in mid-2024 will work around major park events such as the Spring Bird Festival and Whimbrel migration periods to ensure minimal disturbance to park dynamics.
TRCA is planning for pedestrian access to the shoreline not part of Phase 1 works via a maintained informal trail, and access to the park via a detour route from the Gatehouse laneway, as shown in Figure 8 (above). Parts of the trail that will remain closed, be shared with the public, and open to allow access on evenings and weekends are also highlighted in Figure 8.
Extra steps will be taken by teams during Phase 1 access work to protect the wetland and aquatic species from negative impacts.
Construction Information
Notice of Construction signs will be placed at applicable park entrances and affected trail routes prior to project commencement. There will also be Notice of Project Commencement letters circulated to members of the local community prior to construction.
Detour routes that ensure public safety around construction equipment and activities while maintaining access to the park will be marked so park users and commuters can continue to enter via Thirteenth Street.
Phase 1 construction is tentatively scheduled for July 2024.
Progress Updates
Coming soon.
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Natasha Gibson, Senior Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
natasha.gibson@trca.ca
(365) 566-2342