Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with the City of Toronto, is undertaking maintenance work on existing shoreline erosion control structures along Lake Ontario within Humber Bay Park East. This work will protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.
Project Location
The project area is located in Humber Bay Park East south of Marine Parade Drive, in the City of Toronto. The area of concern includes two armourstone headlands and a gravel/rubble beach located along the north shore of Lake Ontario.
Learn More About the Project
Project Background
Humber Bay Park East was built in the 1970s and 1980s as a lakefill park. The park features a series of erosion control structures to protect the shoreline.
The structures have been monitored since 2006 as part of TRCA’s Erosion Risk Management Program (ERMP). TRCA monitoring records show that the structures have deteriorated over time due to continued exposure to wave activity. Recent events, including record high lake levels in 2017 and 2019, as well as severe winds from the April 14-15, 2018 windstorm event have exacerbated this damage.
The structures are considered to be in failing condition and require major maintenance to return them to a state of good repair.
Western Armourstone Headland
The western headland has experienced significant loss of stone material. Large voids, which threaten the overall stability of the structure, have developed over time as remaining material shifts and settles after stone washes away. Significant scouring due to wave overtopping is also present along the backshore of the structure, placing several park paths and benches at risk and presenting a hazard to public safety.
Gravel/Rubble Beach
Much of the original protective material on the beach has washed away over time due to continuing wave activity and severe storm events. As a result, undercutting along the backshore has led to erosion along a park trail, placing public safety at risk.
Eastern Armourstone Headland
The eastern headland has experienced significant loss of stone material. Material displacement has led to scouring of the backshore and erosion near park pathways, creating a risk to public safety. Lower lying areas where stone has washed away are at greater risk of flooding during elevated lake levels.
TRCA retained Shoreplan Engineering Limited to develop detailed designs for repair of the existing erosion control structures in order to address ongoing erosion and safety hazards.
Repair works will include repositioning existing material and adding a second layer of armourstone to the headlands, as well as renourishing the beach with new stone material, to provide long-term shoreline protection.
Scope of Work
The general scope of work for the Project includes the following items:
- Site setup, including installation of Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) measures and construction fencing, establishment of staging/stockpiling areas, removal of trees within work area, and formalization of access roads
- Repositioning existing stone material along headlands to create a stable slope
- Importing new stone material to build a second armourstone layer for increased protection
- Replenishing beach with new cobble stone
- Site restoration, including trail repairs, reseeding, and tree plantings
Construction Information
Construction is scheduled to commence mid-November 2021 and is anticipated to be completed by Fall 2025.
Please obey all posted construction signage, exercise caution and stay clear of work areas and equipment.
The work area, shown in red on the map, will be closed in order to ensure public safety. Construction will start on the east side of the park and proceed westwards. The full work area must be closed in order to isolate site access and staging areas.
Public Notices
Virtual Public Information Session
The City of Toronto hosted a Virtual Public Information Session as part of the Humber Bay Park East Revitalization Project on October 26, 2021. Although this is separate from the Humber Bay Park East Shoreline Maintenance Project, project staff attended the meeting to share construction details regarding the shoreline repair works. A recording is available in the Project Updates section of the City of Toronto Humber Bay Park Master Plan website.
Notice of Construction
Signs with detailed construction information have been posted on-site at applicable park entrances and affected trail routes. Letters will also be circulated to members of the local community. The Notice of Construction is available for viewing below:
Progress Updates
April 26, 2024: Crews continue to work on the cobble beach and site restoration activities have started on the eastern headland.
March 1, 2024: Work has started on the cobble beach. Cobble material is being stored in piles as it is delivered to the shoreline and then spread out across the beach.
January 26, 2024: Construction of the armourstone berm at the western edge of the beach continues. Cobble material is being stockpiled on-site for the upcoming construction of the beach.
December 14, 2023: Construction of the Armourstone Berm has begun at the Pond Outlet.
September 29, 2023: Construction continues on the western headland. All of the in-water slope stone has been placed and installation of the above water capstone is almost complete.
July 21, 2023: Work continues on the western headland with approximately 120 m of slope completed and 55 m of capstone placed. Crews have also placed 50m of aquatic habitat stone at the base of the revetment.
June 16, 2023: Work has begun on the shoreline of the western headland, starting from the western limit and moving eastward. 75 m of slope stone has been completed and placement of capstone along this section has begun.
May 25, 2023: In-water works along the eastern headland have been completed. Crews have begun working at the western headland to do site setup, including tree removals and establishment of staging areas.
April 6, 2023: Work continues on placement of capstone for the eastern headland, with only 25 m of capstone left to be placed.
January 19, 2023: The slope portion of the structure for the eastern headland has been completed, and in-water works for this section of the parks have ceased. Work will continue on the crest and backshore components of the revetment.
December 9, 2022: Construction of the shoreline on the eastern headland continues. 525 meters of slope completed to date and five aquatic features have been created.
September 1, 2022: Construction of the shoreline on the eastern headland continues. Almost 300 meters of the revetment slope have been installed and over 200 meters of stone has been placed below water.
April 25, 2022: Construction of the shoreline continues with the placement of armourstone along the eastern portion of the project area while TRCA Aquatic Monitoring and Management staff monitor the presence of fish.
March 7, 2022: Site setup is complete and reconstruction of the shoreline has commenced at the eastern portion of the project area.
January 28, 2022: Site setup continues with the completion of construction access routes across the length of the park.
December 17, 2021: TRCA crews have been working on establishing access routes throughout the park.
November 15, 2021: TRCA construction crews have mobilized and site setup has begun, including the trail closures, establishment of perimeter fencing, staging and stockpiling areas, tree protection zones, and erosion and sediment control measures. The work area and trails within it have been closed to ensure public safety.
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Rebecca Salvatore, Senior Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
rebecca.salvatore@trca.ca
(416) 560-1823