Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is undertaking emergency works along a section of Yellow Creek. The goal of this project is to protect essential infrastructure at the top of slope while addressing erosion concerns that threaten public safety in the Vale of Avoca Ravine.
Project Location
The project area is located within the Vale of Avoca Ravine and is generally located southeast of Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue East, in the City of Toronto. The area of concern is a section of Yellow Creek that runs directly below Summerhill Gardens south of David A. Balfour Park.
Learn More About the Project
Project Background
TRCA staff visited Yellow Creek in January 2019 to identify key areas of erosion concern along the watercourse. During this field work, staff found an erosion site at the toe of a steep slope below Summerhill Gardens.
An existing stone and mortar retaining wall next to the slope below Summerhill Gardens was also found to be exposed due to erosion.
Due to the undermining of this retaining wall, elevated flows during storm events are flowing underneath and towards the toe of the slope. This erosion has impacted an existing pedestrian trail and created a public health and safety concern within the ravine.
Should this erosion not be quickly addressed, continued erosion may cause slope failures and threaten essential infrastructure located at the top of slope.
Due to risks to public health and safety, as well as essential infrastructure, TRCA declared emergency works for a 90-metre section of Yellow Creek below Summerhill Gardens on July 31, 2019.
Scope of Work
The goal of this project is to remove the exposed stone and mortar retaining wall, and to realign the channel away from the slope. This will help lower the risk of future slope failures in this area.
In addition, TRCA will build erosion control structures within the creek and restore a section of trail along the west bank that was lost due to erosion.
A vegetated island (with significant presence of invasive Japanese knotweed) will be removed to make room for the new channel, and a pedestrian bridge that has been closed by the City of Toronto will be removed to improve public safety.
Because this bridge has historical significance, its pillars will be kept aside and reused in the park, with input from the community and the Ravine Working Group.
TRCA plans to use existing stone materials as part of the new erosion control structures. This will reduce the amount of new stone material that needs to be purchased for this project.
TRCA will perform restoration work following construction. In addition, the City of Toronto will install tree plantings to offset the trees that were removed as part of the emergency works.
Construction Information
Construction started on August 29, 2019 and should be finished by the winter of 2019-2020.
Prior to undertaking work, TRCA installed perimeter construction fencing around the work site to ensure public safety and isolate the work area. The installation of construction fencing resulted in temporary trail closures that limited access to a portion of the ravine while work was underway.
Public access through the project site was reinstated on March 25, 2020, following restoration of the work area and adjacent trails. As part of the project, TRCA is responsible for undertaking all preliminary restoration work throughout the site. Following completion of preliminary restoration, final site restoration will be completed by City of Toronto Urban Forestry and will include planting native trees and other vegetation across areas that were disturbed by construction activity.
Public Notices
Declaration of Emergency Works
TRCA declared emergency works on July 31, 2019. An emergency works declaration was distributed to Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 11) as well as to the City of Toronto, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and local residents associations.
Notice of Construction
TRCA has installed the following information sign at multiple locations throughout the Avoca Ravine. In addition, TRCA delivered notice letters to residences near the project area prior to construction.
Trail Closures
To ensure public safety, TRCA has closed sections of the trail system within the Avoca Ravine while construction is underway. To alert trail users, TRCA has installed trail closure signs throughout the Avoca Ravine.
Project Updates
Check here for weekly construction updates. Our team greatly appreciates your continued patience while we work on this project.
Update: September 6, 2019
Site perimeter fencing has been installed around the staging and stockpile area and along the trail to isolate the work area along the east side of the ravine. Erosion and sediment control measures have been also been installed throughout the site. The pedestrian trail located along the west bank near the work area will remain open until heavy machinery commence channel work.
Update: September 20, 2019
Mud mats have been installed throughout the project site for the protection of buried municipal infrastructure.
Update: October 11, 2019
Perimeter fencing has been installed at the bottom of the steps located at the Shaftesbury Ave trail entrance and the northwest limit of the project site to isolate the work area along the west side of the ravine and protect public safety from the hazards of construction activities.
Update: November 1, 2019
The impacted pedestrian trail located along the west bank has been restored; however, this trail is not yet open to the public due to continuing construction activities.
Update: November 15, 2019
TRCA staff have completed filling and regrading the toe of slope below the restored pedestrian trail to repair a large erosion scar.
Update: November 22, 2019
TRCA staff have substantially completed a segment of the new creek channel, including installation of erosion control measures to provide protection to the banks.
Update: November 29, 2019
TRCA staff have substantially completed work along the top of the west bank of the new creek channel.
Update: December 6, 2019
TRCA staff are proceeding with preparation activities to remove the undermined stone and mortar retaining wall and complete the upstream section of the new Yellow Creek channel design.
Update: December 14, 2019
This week construction staff removed the compromised stone and mortar retaining wall and completed constructing the upstream section of the channel.
Update: January 10, 2020
Construction staff have infilled a substantial amount of the the old creek channel to create the top of the east bank.
Update: January 17, 2020
Construction staff have begun constructing the downstream section of the channel.
Update: January 24, 2020
Construction staff have completed constructing the west bank of the downstream section of the new channel.
Update: February 21, 2020
All Yellow Creek channel works below Summerhill Gardens is complete. Construction staff have commenced undertaking site restoration activities.
Update: March 6, 2020
Construction staff continue to restore site, including restoring the east side trail located within the Project limits. Restoration work is anticipated to be completed by the end of March 2020 and all trails affected by closures will be re-opened at this time.
Update: March 27, 2020
Construction staff have completed restoration of the trail along the east bank. Trail access through the project site is now re-opened for public use.
Update: April 1, 2020
Pedestrians are currently being detoured around the staging and stockpile area as this area still requires restoration. This area will continue to be cordoned off until substantial restoration is achieved.
Update: April 17, 2020
The east side trail located at the south end of the Vale of Avoca ravine has been reopened for public use. The staging and stockpile area adjacent to this path is pending restoration. Public access into this area continues to be restricted.
Contact Us
The Project Planning Team is located at TRCA’s Boyd Field Centre in Vaughan:
Restoration & Infrastructure Division, Engineering Projects
9755 Canada Company Ave
Vaughan, Ontario
L4H 0A3
For more information regarding this project, please contact Ashour Rehana, Manager.
Ashour Rehana, Manager
Engineering Projects
Restoration & Infrastructure Division
ashour.rehana@trca.ca
416-661-6600 ext. 5524