Construction has officially begun on the Ajax shoreline erosion project, with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) starting work along the town’s Lake Ontario waterfront.
The project, which began on January 12, involves importing and installing large boulders to stabilize a one-kilometre stretch of shoreline within Ajax Waterfront Park. The area was identified as a high-priority erosion zone through the approved 2024 Ajax Waterfront Environmental Assessment.
Work will be completed in two stages. Stage one, currently underway, focuses on shoreline sections west of the Love Crescent parking lot toward Lion’s Point and is expected to continue into the spring. Stage two, covering the area east toward Veteran’s Point Gardens, will proceed pending future funding.
TRCA has warned of temporary impacts to the waterfront trail near Love Crescent, with signage and detours in place to maintain safety and accessibility during construction.
The project uses a cobble and boulder shoreline method, designed to mimic historic natural shoreline conditions before stone-hooking altered the Lake Ontario coast. Boulders placed underwater will absorb wave energy, while smaller stones will gradually be shaped by natural wave action, creating a more resilient shoreline.
TRCA says the work will help protect parkland, trails, and infrastructure while supporting habitat growth and continued recreational use. The area will remain part of TRCA’s ongoing shoreline erosion monitoring program.
