Ashbridges Bay on the north shore of Lake Ontario is a vibrant community with a host of land and water-based recreational opportunities for residents and visitors.
The purpose of the Ashbridges Bay Landform Project is to address the existing navigation risk caused by sediment accumulation at the harbour entrance of Coatsworth Cut, while considering approved projects and waterfront planning initiatives in the area, managing shoreline erosion along the northeast shore of Tommy Thompson Park, and providing enhancements to the aquatic habitat.
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Ashbridges Bay Landform Project
Status Report
Updated March 11, 2025
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) completed the perimeter of the Landform structure, effectively isolating it from Lake Ontario, in June 2021.
Cell filling, from three City of Toronto tunnel projects and approved third-party sites, and shale grading are now substantially complete. Crews have also substantially completed topsoil placement as part of final surfacing.
Crews have installed erosion control structures, concurrent with the cell filling operations, along the Landform in the form of armourstone headlands, revetments and cobble shorelines, to provide long-term shoreline protection.
An armourstone and rip rap revetment along the eastern side of the Landform was completed in December 2022. Construction of all five headlands along the south shoreline of the Landform were completed in early 2024.
Construction of all four shoreline erosion control structures between the headlands were substantially complete in late 2024.
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The East Breakwater located on the southwest portion off Ashbridges Bay Park was substantially completed in December 2020. Construction of the Central Breakwater was substantially completed at the end of 2024.
Construction of habitat components for the Central Breakwater commenced in 2023 with the installation of a sunken tree field and shoreline naturalized area on the north end of the structure. Aquatic plantings within the naturalized area were installed in summer 2024.
Construction of underwater habitat shoals along the Landform nearshore commenced in the spring of 2024 with placement of rip rap and cobble material. Remaining required material will be placed in the spring of 2025 to complete the shoals.
These aquatic habitat features bolster the ecological functions of the area through the addition of both land and aquatic natural habitat, and include:
- 3,142 m2 of embedded woody material as part of a submerged tree field along the eastern side of the Central Breakwater
- 7,800 m2 of gravel and rip rap material along the eastern side of the Central Breakwater
- 5,036 m2 of naturalized shoreline area, including aquatic plantings, at the north section of the Central Breakwater
- 6,170 m2 of underwater habitat shoals between the Landform headlands
- 14,527 m2 of cobble shoreline between the Landform headlands
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Project Background
TRCA, in partnership with the City of Toronto, re-initiated a Conservation Ontario Class EA to address erosion and sedimentation issues within Coatsworth Cut and Ashbridges Bay Park.
The 2013 EA picked up where the 2009 Class EA left off and identified the design alternatives that still remain valid given the change in project scope.
Two Public Information Centres were held to present and receive input on alternative solutions (June 19, 2013) and the recommended solution (February 6, 2014).
An Environmental Study Report (ESR) was completed (link below) and submitted for a 45-day public review period in December 2014. The ESR was subsequently approved in February 2015.
- Ashbridges Bay Class EA – Notice of Intent
- Ashbridges Bay Project Brief
- Ashbridges Bay Environmental Study Report
- Ashbridges Bay Environmental Study Report – Appendices
- Notice of Project Completion – Ashbridges Bay
A preferred alternative was identified through the Ashbridges Bay Erosion and Sediment Control Conservation Ontario Class EA process (April 2013–December 2014), consisting of erosion and sediment control structures to be integrated with the lakefill area required for the City’s planned stormwater and CSO treatment facilities that will form the Ashbridges Bay Landform.
This preferred alternative was subsequently refined through detailed design to remove any impacts to the existing outfall right-of-way.
As part of the refined preferred alternative, a series of aquatic habitat enhancements are proposed. These include:
- Four submerged rock shoals within the headland-beach system
- Submerged rock piles, anchored log tangles and tree wads in the cobble shorelines
- A shoreline naturalization area near the opening of Coatsworth Cut along the Central Breakwater
- Gravel fill along the inner bend of the Central Breakwater
- A vertical sunken tree field at the inner bend of the Central Breakwater
- Submerged rock berms along the Eastern Breakwater
The final design and proposed habitat enhancements are available for review below.
FINAL DESIGN
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HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PLAN
Download a Copy
Study Area
Ashbridges Bay is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario in Toronto, Ontario. Within the local study area, Coatsworth Cut serves as an access route to the lake for several boat clubs, and a public boat launch, and offers sheltered water for sailing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Lands surrounding the local study area include Woodbine Beach, Ashbridge’s Bay Park, Tommy Thompson Park, and Toronto Water’s Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Baseline Environmental Inventory
A draft Baseline Environmental Inventory (BEI) was prepared and was reviewed by Community Liaison Committee members in November 2013.
The project BEI consists of the examination and documentation of existing project site conditions: physical, biological, cultural and socio-economic environments. The physical environment description includes an account of previous measures (dredging) implemented in the area and technical and engineering aspects to be considered.
The report provides the baseline conditions information needed to evaluate alternative methods of addressing the problem situation. In addition, the inventory provides a baseline from which to monitor the effectiveness of the action, once taken, as well as the types and levels of environmental impacts.
Public and Agency Consultation
The Class EA process provides that all views respecting a proposed remedial flood or erosion control project be taken into consideration during the planning and design of remedial flood and erosion control projects.
A Community Liaison Committee (CLC) was formed to provide a venue to allow concerned citizens, local interest groups and non-governmental organizations to voice issues of public concern as well as assist in the planning and design process of the project.
Public Information Centres (PICs) were also held to seek feedback on the study from a broad audience.
Community Liaison Committee
A Community Liaison Committee (CLC) was established subsequently to publishing the project Notice of Intent. The CLC met three times throughout the course of the EA. Presentations and minutes associated with these meetings are available below.
CLC Meeting #1 – May 15, 2013
CLC Meeting #2 – September 5, 2013
CLC Meeting #3 – November 28, 2013
Public Information Centres
Two Public Information Centres (PICs) were held to allow for public comment on the EA. These public meetings provided opportunities for the community to be made aware of the project and provide feedback as the study progressed.
Both PICs were advertised in the Beach Mirror newspaper prior to the meeting and notices were sent to project stakeholders (CLC members, politicians and others who expressed interest in the project) electronically.
Public Information Centre #1
The first Public Information Centre (PIC) was held on Wednesday June 19, 2013 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Toronto Fire Academy (895 Eastern Ave, Toronto). Background information on the project was provided and the public were asked to provide feedback on the draft evaluation criteria that will be used to assess remedial alternatives.
24 Panels were featured at the PIC outlining the project process, existing conditions, screening of previous remedial alternatives, draft evaluation criteria and next steps. A comment form (workbook) was provided at the PIC and also made available online. Comments and feedback were requested to be submitted during the two weeks following the meeting.
- PIC #1 Panels
- PIC #1 Workbook
- Meeting Notice: NOTICE For PIC 1 – Ashbridges Bay Class EA
Public Information Centre #2
The second PIC was held on February 6, 2014 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Toronto Fire Academy (895 Eastern Ave, Toronto). The purpose of this PIC was to review the results of alternatives evaluation and present the recommended preferred alternative.
Similar to the first PIC, a comment form (workbook) was provided at the PIC and also made available online. Comments and feedback were requested to be submitted during the two weeks following the meeting.
- PIC 2 Panels
- Project context map – showing the Preliminary Preferred Alternative along with other City of Toronto Approved Facilities
- PIC 2 Comment Form
- Meeting Notice: Ashbridges Bay EA Notice of PIC 2
Public Information Drop-In Event – New Natural Areas
TRCA hosted a public drop-in session on June 19, 2024, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Tommy Thompson Park Pavilion. The purpose of the event was to share information about the restoration and trail plans for the new natural areas created as part of the Ashbridges Bay Landform Project.
- Event Panels
- Questionnaire Comment Form
- Meeting Notice: Event Notice
- Event Summary Report
Implementation is scheduled to begin in 2025. Please subscribe for project updates to stay informed.
Contact Us
Ashbridges Bay Landform Project Team
ABTP.Landform@trca.ca