McMichael Canadian Art Collection Erosion Gully Project – Completed

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection have completed an erosion control project to protect trail infrastructure on gallery and public lands.

Project Location

The project was located at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection (10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg) northeast of the intersection of Major Mackenzie Drive West and Islington Avenue.

The project area was situated on the northwest side of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection’s main building, next to the trail connection to the William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail). The Humber Trail runs alongside the East Humber River, in the City of Vaughan.

A map showing the general location of the erosion gully project site using a red star
General location of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Erosion Gully project site.

In Collaboration With:

McMichael Canadian Art Collection logo
Click on the logo to visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Website.

Scope of Work

  • Start Date: Fall 2021
  • End Date: Spring 2022

The goal of this project was to address erosion risks threatening public safety and trail infrastructure near the McMichael Canadian Art Collection connection to the William Granger Greenway (Humber Trail). TRCA and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection partnered to assess the hazard and subsequently implement remedial works.

The scope of work included the following components:

  • Geotechnical investigation and hydrology analysis (Fall 2020 to Winter 2021)
  • Development of detailed designs (Spring and Summer 2021)
  • Obtain all necessary and approvals to proceed to construction (Fall 2020 to Summer 2021)
  • Construction of erosion control works including a stone gully treatment, drainage ditch, and energy dissipator (Fall 2021)
  • Restoration including seeding disturbed areas and planting native shrub and tree species (Fall 2021 to Spring 2022)
Failing trees lean over a large failure in a hillside, looking downslope.
A large area of gully failure with undermined trees leaning over it, before. Source: TRCA, 2021.
The stone drainage ditch leading to the finished gully treatment, with restoration plantings along the tableland
Completed erosion control works and restoration plantings at the top of the slope, looking towards the gully, after. Source: TRCA, 2022.