Scarborough Bluffs West Revitalization Study

The study area extends from Kingston Road to Lake Ontario, and from Silver Birch Avenue to Brimley Road.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-392-8833 or email Katelynn.Northam@toronto.ca.

In 2021, City Council directed TRCA to initiate an Environmental Assessment to explore the viability of a shoreline connection for the public from Bluffer’s Park to Eastern Beaches (2021.EX28.6). 

The Scarborough Bluffs West Revitalization Study will be informed by ongoing work to develop a renewed vision for Toronto’s waterfront with a focus on strategic economic development, truth, justice and reconciliation, equity, inclusion and access, and climate resilience and sustainability.

The project supports the following strategies and plans approved by the City of Toronto and TRCA:

• The Trail Strategy for the Greater Toronto Region  outlines Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) plan to work with partners to complete, expand, manage and celebrate the Greater Toronto Region Trail Network, a connected trail network in our regional greenspace system.
• The City of Toronto’s Cycling Network Plan aims to connect the gaps in Toronto’s existing cycling network, grow the cycling network into new parts of the City, and renew existing cycling network routes to improve their quality. This section of shoreline has been identified in the Long-term Cycling Network Plan as an area for a future feasibility study.
• The City of Toronto’s Official Plan is the blueprint that outlines how Toronto will grow and develop over the long term. Policies in Chapter 2, Section 2.3.2 direct staff to improve access to the water’s edge for the public while protecting, maintaining, enhancing and restoring natural heritage.
• The City of Toronto Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2032 guides City actions to advance truth, justice and reconciliation for the next 10 years. It includes actions that contribute to the visibility and overall well-being of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples in Toronto through placemaking and place-keeping, supporting economic development and prosperity, increasing civic engagement, honouring Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and recognizing rights to self-determination and self-governance.

Scarborough Waterfront Project

TRCA, in partnership with the City, recently completed an Individual Environmental Assessment for the Scarborough Waterfront Project (SWP), which covered an 11 km stretch along Lake Ontario between Bluffer’s Park and East Point Park in Toronto. The SWP seeks to provide safe public access and an enjoyable waterfront experience, while also protecting and enhancing the natural environment. When complete, both projects will provide enhanced protection along the Scarborough shoreline, including improved access to and connectivity along the waterfront.

The SWP is currently in the detailed design stages. To learn more about the SWP, visit the project website.

Notice of Commencement – Terms of Reference (November 2023)

The Scarborough Bluffs West Revitalization Study was initiated as an Individual Environmental Assessment in the Fall of 2023 and is expected to be complete in 2026. The project is currently in the early stages. The process includes the following steps:

Phase One – Terms of Reference

• Study and review existing information about how the environment is likely to be affected by the project, including ecology, coastal processes, erosion, and different ways people are expected to use public spaces in the future
• Draft a design brief that sets an overarching vision for the project
• Undertake a problem and opportunity assessment and prepare project goals and objectives
• Draft a Terms of Reference which outlines the approach that the project team will take to completing the Environmental Assessment, including the development of criteria and indicators to measure the achievement of project objectives
• Conduct public, stakeholder and Indigenous consultation to inform the design brief and Terms of Reference
• Submit the Terms of Reference to the public and Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks for review and approval

Phase Two – Environmental Assessment

• Develop a series of alternatives for the project area
• Conduct technical studies to understand how the project area may be impacted by the alternatives
• Evaluate the alternatives using a set of criteria and indicators and select a preferred alternative
• Further develop the preferred alternative
• Conduct public, stakeholder and Indigenous consultation to inform the alternatives and final selection
• Draft an Environmental Assessment Report that captures all of the findings and submit to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for review and approval, and post online for public review

Detailed design and construction of the preferred alternative will proceed following Ministerial approval of the Individual Environmental Assessment, subject to available funding.

The core objectives of the project, listed below, will be refined early in the consultation process:

• protect and enhance terrestrial and aquatic natural features and linkages
• manage public safety and property risk
• provide an enjoyable waterfront experience
• consistency and coordination with other initiatives, and
• achieve value for cost.

Project Materials

• Round One Consultation Materials

Round One Consultation: February 2024

The first round of public consultation was held from January 31 to February 28, 2024.

• An online interactive map and survey to gather ideas and issues from the community was available throughout the comment period. Comments are no longer being accepted but can be viewed here.
• An information session and Q&A was held on February 15. A copy of the presentation materials and a pre-recorded presentation are available for review.
• Comments were also accepted via phone, mail and email.

A summary report of what we heard will be shared on this page in the spring.

Community Advisory Group

A Community Advisory Group (CAG) has been established to provide advice to the project team throughout the study. The CAG is made up of representatives of organizations with an interest in the study and/or who represent residents of Scarborough. The CAG will meet five times throughout the project to review materials and provide input. Minutes will be posted publicly following each meeting.

Review a summary of the first meeting held January 11, 2024.

Indigenous Consultation

The project study area is located on the traditional territory of many nations including the Anishnabeg, Haudenosaunee and Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Archaeological evidence from this area shows that people were living and hunting along the Scarborough Bluffs at least as early as 10,000 years ago.

A plan to engage with urban Indigenous community members as well as treaty and territorial partners with an interest in the project is being developed and implemented. Engagement will take place over the coming months to ensure that Indigenous knowledge and priorities are incorporated into the final Environmental Assessment.

Erosion refers to the loss of material (soil, rock, etc.) due to wind, water, or other processes. Throughout the study, reference will be made to existing erosion management structures already in place to help manage shoreline erosion along the Bluffs West area. TRCA is responsible for the installation and maintenance of these structures. Future improvements or additions to these structures are part of what will be explored in the Environmental Assessment.

Seawall (Sheet Pile Wall or Concrete Wall)

A seawall is a concrete or steel sheet pile structure built parallel to the shore, to protect inland areas against wave action and prevent coastal erosion.

Sheet pile is metal or vinyl sheets that use interlocking edges to create a continuous wall.

Armourstone Revetment

A revetment is a sloped or unsloped structure, made of an impact resistant material (e.g. armourstone) to protect a bank or shoreline. Armourstone is broken quarried rock often used in coastal engineering.

Beach and Groyne System

A groyne is a low wall of armourstone or other material that is built out into a waterbody to stop drifting and erosion of sand and sediment. A series of groynes act together to create and protect beaches.

Other Erosion Terms

Backshore Erosion: Erosion behind a coastal wall from wave overwash (waves higher than the top of the wall that damage the soil behind)

Mass Failure: When a large piece of bank collapses due to erosion processes

Bluff: A steep bank created by erosion processes, usually along a shoreline

Littoral Zone: The area close to shore that is sometimes or always covered in water depending on tidal activity