Major tasks ahead to level rocks to prevent flooding on shore of Col. Sam Smith Park, loved by dog and bird lovers.
Dog walkers or bird watchers using Colonel Samuel Smith Park will be facing some truck traffic as major anti-erosion work is underway to restore the lakefront jewel.
The anti-flooding Colonel Samuel Smith Park Major Maintenance Project is being conducted by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to restore areas of the shoreline of the park damaged by erosion.
The storms last month and flooding from City sewage into Lake Ontario did not help with the erosion and made matters worse, officials said.
The work “will have a massive impact on park access and use over a number of years.’
Much effort is being placed to protect birds and other life as construction goes on.
“It was pointed out a number of times and it was pointed out that the work is necessary ‘if we still want to have a waterfront park,” wrote Terry Smith, of Friends of Sam Smith Park.
The TRCA released photos of some of the work to be conducted to address erosion hazards and enhance protection around the shoreline to prevent future hazards to visitors.
The TRCA, with Councillor Amber Morley, held an information session on July 30 at Humber College Lakeshore Campus to discuss project details.
Smith said the roadways used by trucks hauling rocks will be fenced off and residents will only have partial access to trails or dog walking area at certain hours.
Smith said measures are being taken to protect endangered turtles, the Whimbrel Watch and Spring Bird Festival and other endangered species.
Volunteers clean up the beloved Col. Sam Smith Park earlier this year.
Construction is expected to begin this Fall with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to work on an aquatic habitat improvement and restoration in the park.
This work is part of the permitting and approvals stage to ensure the effects of protecting the shoreline are coupled with habitat benefits in the park.
The popular waterfront park offers visitors ample recreational opportunities along wildlife habitats. The waterfront extension of the park was built in the 1980’s and includes popular shoreline trails for lake access.
The focus of TRCA’s major maintenance work will be along the outer shoreline of the park’s waterfront extension.
While some sections of the outer shoreline are in good condition, maintenance of several erosion control structures has become necessary due to severe weather events and wave action that poses a potential hazard to park lands and shoreline trails.
The work is expected to take a long time as trucks will have to haul in and level off lakefront rocks.