Humber Bay Shores residents are demanding their beach back after the shoreline was filled with large rocks.
Work is underway at Humber Bay Park East to restore a once prized neighbourhood beach.
A large strip of sandy beach was filled with large rocks in a shoreline restoration work that took place from 2016 to 2019 at the park.
“Many residents were left with the impression that existing beach area in Humber Bay Park East would remain an accessible public beach when the construction was completed,” according to a City report.
Hundreds of Humber Bay Shores residents signed an online petition protesting the changes and demanded their beach be returned.
The beautiful beach at Humber Bay East park is having the large rocks removed.
A motion by Councillor Amber Morley for the restoration of the shoreline was adopted by council, who will dish out $155,000 for the project, which is expected to be completed early next year.
The report said a section of Humber Bay Park East has been resurfaced with large cobble stones and ‘the shoreline is no longer beach-like, and access to the water has been restricted.’
“It is also important to ensure that we are providing beautiful spaces for recreation and amenities in our parks that serve the residents who frequent them,” City staff wrote.
“Community members have raised concerns that something has been lost in Humber Bay Park East with the replacement of the former beach by the large cobblestone shoreline.”
Residents have been demanding to have their beach back but it won’t be until 2026.
The petition said the beach is cherished by the community as not everyone has the means to travel abroad or book a cottage to provide their families with a nature or a beach experience.
“Access to nature has been proven to have positive effects on mental well-being, and to interact with elements such as sand, trees and water,” said the petition. It ‘is integral to fostering a healthy and balanced community.’