German Mills Settlers Park Sanitary Infrastructure Protection Project – Completed

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) completed creek realignment works in order to protect at-risk sanitary sewer infrastructure and a multi-use trail within German Mills Settlers Park.

Project Location

A map showing the project area, including trails that will be closed during construction and an approved detour route
A map of the project area, including trail closures and detour route

Scope of Work

  • Construction Start Date: Fall 2022
  • Construction Completion Date: Summer 2023

The project included the following:

  • Realigning the watercourse to a historical channel alignment, which is further from the sewer and trail.
  • Installation of different types of bank protection, including vegetated stone revetments, live staking plants directly in the bank, brush layering, and reconstruction of an existing armourstone wall.
  • Installation of habitat features for native wildlife, including woody debris which provides cover for aquatic species.
  • Connected two oxbow wetlands to the watercourse.
  • Replacement of the old crossing with a new 30 metre pedestrian bridge.
  • Realignment of the recreational trail to meet the new bridge.

A pedestrian bridge crossing German Mills Creek has an exposed abutment with an erosion scour surrounding it.
Old pedestrian bridge has been exposed by erosion over the years.

The newly installed pedestrian bridge and native plantings
The newly installed pedestrian bridge and native plantings