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 Humber Bay Park West.
This work will protect against the hazards of shoreline erosion and address public safety concerns.
Learn More About the Project
Project Location
The project area is in Humber Bay Park West, south of Lake Shore Boulevard West, at the mouth of Mimico Creek in the City of Toronto.
The areas of concern includes six armourstone headlands and three rubble beaches which make up most of the park’s shoreline.
Project Background
Humber Bay Park West Park was built in the 1970s and 1980s with excavated materials and rubble surplus from construction projects. The park features a series of erosion control structures to protect the shoreline.
The shoreline erosion control structures within the project area have been monitored annually since 2006 as part of TRCA’s Erosion Risk Management Program (ERMP). All nine structures are planned for maintenance.
Severe weather events, including record high lake levels in 2017 and 2019, as well as severe winds from the April 2018 storm event, have accelerated the deteriorating condition of these structures.
Most of the structures are considered to be in failing or failed condition and require major maintenance to return them to a state of good repair.
Existing Concrete/Construction Rubble Beaches
There are three concrete/construction rubble beaches of concern. A significant amount of the original material has washed away, exposing the backshore to erosion from wind and wave activity.
At two of these beaches, the erosion scour is encroaching on park paths, posing a public safety risk.
Existing Armourstone Headlands
There are also six armourstone headlands of concern. All six structures have experienced erosion and the displacement of armourstone material to varying degrees.
For some headlands, erosion is encroaching on paths placing public safety at risk, particularly within transition areas between beaches and headlands.
TRCA retained professional coastal engineering consultant GHD to develop detailed designs for repair of the existing erosion control structures in order to address ongoing erosion and safety hazards.
Concept designs have been developed, currently moving into the detailed design phase as of November 2024.
Repair works will include maintenance to the headlands, which will the addition of armourstone and in some cases extension of the headlands to better protect the transition areas.
The extent of headland maintenance will vary based on current site conditions and wave action in that particular area.
Beach maintenance will include surcharging with medium to coarse pebble material to maintain a balance between shoreline resiliency and recreational function.
Scope of Work
Public Notices and Events
Stay Informed! TRCA will host a public drop-in session in early 2025 to share information about the design and available construction details, and to answer any questions you might have. Details will be posted closer to the event.
Progress Updates
This section will be updated as more planning and construction details become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will construction begin?
The schedule is subject to change. However, implementation is tentatively scheduled to begin between late 2025 and early 2026, once Humber Bay Park East has opened.
Will the entire park be closed?
Portions of the park will remain open for public use during construction.
The project will be completed in phases, during which the active work area will be closed to the public.
Construction access and material delivery logistics are still being determined. However, material will be delivered by truck, which will necessitate some trail closures to ensure public safety.
Access route details and impacted trails will be provided closer to implementation.
How many trucks will use the access route?
Up to eight trucks per day are expected between 7:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding holidays).
How is this work being funded?
This project is funded by the City of Toronto and also received federal grant funding from Infrastructure Canada’s Disaster Mitigation Adaptation fund.
How is the shoreline maintenance strategy determined?
Coastal engineers assess the lake conditions to understand what type of wave action and water levels the park will experience to determine what types of materials and structures will be strong enough to protect the park from damage. This is considered along with park features and usage to design the shoreline maintenance solution.
In early 2025, there will be a drop-in information session to provide more details on the shoreline maintenance approach and upcoming construction. All materials shown at the drop-in session will also be posted online. Details about the in-person drop-in event will be made available closer to the date.
Contact Us
For more information regarding this project, please contact:
Danielle Dellandrea, Senior Project Manager
Erosion Risk Management
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
danielle.dellandrea@trca.ca
(416) 786-5064