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34-559: The Scarborough Bluffs , also known as The Bluffs , is an escarpment in the Scarborough district of Toronto , Ontario , Canada. There are nine parks along the bluffs, with Bluffers Park being the only one with a beach. Forming much of the eastern portion of Toronto's waterfront , the Scarborough Bluffs stands above the shoreline of Lake Ontario . At its highest point, the escarpment rises 90 metres (300 ft) above

68-520: A strike-slip fault brings a piece of high ground adjacent to an area of lower ground. Earth is not the only planet where escarpments occur. They are believed to occur on other planets when the crust contracts , as a result of cooling. On other Solar System bodies such as Mercury , Mars , and the Moon , the Latin term rupes is used for an escarpment. When sedimentary beds are tilted and exposed to

102-615: A director of the Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (MTRCA). Watershed management also included promoting activities such as recreation and public education on authority lands. The Humber Valley CA opened Albion Hills Conservation Area in Caledon as well as Dalziel Pioneer Park, around a historic 1809 barn located on farmland in the Humber River valley. The designated conservation areas charged daily use fees for

136-545: A rapid rate since residences have been built along the lake bluff tops. The million-dollar views have been prime real estate since the 1940s. The desire for a beautiful lakeside view and an affluent lifestyle led to a real estate boom along the Bluffs—this resulted in a direct correlation of the accelerating rate of erosion. The eroding Bluffs have resulted in damaged private property and the need for public assets to be spent on repairs and corrective action. In summer 2008, chunks of

170-514: A sought out destination for photographers and visitors to trek through. However, due to erosion and flooding, this leads to dangerous conditions; according to the TRCA, numerous people ignore warning signage. Areas that appear to be stable can collapse. "In terms of the park areas or where people want to go right at the top of the Bluffs, it's completely safe as long as they stay on the appropriate side of

204-423: A tent, parking lots, a restaurant, and a large marina with a boating club. The Bluffs run 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the foot of Victoria Park Avenue in the west to the mouth of Highland Creek in the east, reaching as high as 90 metres (300 ft)— the equivalent of twenty-five storeys. However, the escarpment continues westward inland, running between Kingston Road and Queen Street East , pausing over

238-433: Is a ridge which has a gentle slope on one side and a steep scarp on the other side. More loosely, the term scarp also describes a zone between a coastal lowland and a continental plateau which shows a marked, abrupt change in elevation caused by coastal erosion at the base of the plateau . Scarps are generally formed by one of two processes: either by differential erosion of sedimentary rocks , or by movement of

272-538: The Don Valley , and continuing on the north side of Davenport Road . The escarpment forms part of the old shoreline of Glacial Lake Iroquois , formed after the last ice age , which left valuable geological records as the part of the escarpment by the lake eroded . The eroded alluvial deposits from the Bluffs then settled westward to form the Toronto Islands . The Scarborough Bluffs have been eroding at

306-469: The Earth's crust at a geologic fault . The first process is the more common type: the escarpment is a transition from one series of sedimentary rocks to another series of a different age and composition. Escarpments are also frequently formed by faults. When a fault displaces the ground surface so that one side is higher than the other, a fault scarp is created. This can occur in dip-slip faults , or when

340-722: The 15 dams: Claireville , Milne and G. Ross Lord dam, plus others in Stouffville and on the Black Creek. The Authority constructed twelve flood control channels and two flood control dikes. Over 280 erosion control works were also constructed. The MTRCA continued to operate the Dalziel Pioneer Park. In 1960, the MTRCA opened Black Creek Pioneer Village on the Stong Farm, at the corner of Jane and Steeles on

374-716: The Black Creek, which expanded on the Dalziel lands. It subsequently added other pioneer buildings relocated from around the Toronto area. The village became a popular tourist destination in its own right. In 1982, the MTRCA opened the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge, Ontario . Its mission is to be "a center of excellence in the field of sustainable technology". The 325- hectare property hosts educational programs for students, workshops for industry and

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408-399: The Bluffs had eroded to the point that one quarter of a cottage that actor and comedian Billy Van once owned, was left hanging on the cliff—the cottage was deemed a safety hazard by Toronto city officials as a result. To combat erosion, boulders acting as armour, rocks, and trees were placed at the base. However, to place these rocks and trees, a beach must be created to allow trucks to access

442-561: The Province of Ontario passed legislation that made building on floodplains illegal. The authority retained the name until 1997, when Metro Toronto was abolished. In 1959, MTRCA developed its Plan for Flood Control and Water Conservation, which outlined a CDN $ 22 million plan of dam construction, flood channel construction and floodplain acquisition. In total, 15 dams, and four channels were to be built and 11,200 acres (4,500 ha) of land were to be acquired. The MTRCA constructed three of

476-548: The Regions of Peel, York and Durham. In 1946, a number of conservation authorities (CA) were established by the province to administer the numerous watersheds of the Toronto region (Don Valley CA, Etobicoke-Mimico CA, Humber Valley CA, Rouge CA, Duffins Creek CA, Highland Creek CA and Petticoat Creek CA) under the Conservation Authorities Act . These early conservation authorities were funded by

510-432: The Scarborough Bluffs area 43°42′07″N 79°14′31″W  /  43.702°N 79.242°W  / 43.702; -79.242 Escarpment The terms scarp and scarp face are often used interchangeably with escarpment . Some sources differentiate the two terms, with escarpment referring to the margin between two landforms , and scarp referring to a cliff or a steep slope. In this usage an escarpment

544-466: The bluffs and the lake; land was acquired by TRCA from Borough of Scarborough in 1960 and opened as a park in 1975. Port Union Waterfront Park is another park that features breakwaters to protect its shoreline. Breakwaters are also found between Sylvan and Cudia Park. Berms and infill were also added to create waterfront area at East Point Park. Municipal parks on the Scarborough Bluffs includes: There are two registered non-profit community associations in

578-547: The cliff base which would involve leveling parts of the Bluffs, such as the aforementioned Bluffer's Park. The Cathedral Bluffs, which is an impressive portion of the Bluffs, was the result of continued erosion. In 2017, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) created the Scarborough Waterfront Project which aims to revamp about 11 kilometres of Scarborough Bluff's shoreline which includes

612-532: The coastline and spans a length of 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). The French gave the name "Les Grands Ecores", or tall points on the shore, to the cliffs. In the 1788 Plan of Toronto by Alexander Aitken, the bluffs were simply known as the High Lands. They became known as the Scarborough Highlands in 1793 named after Scarborough, North Yorkshire . This name was chosen by Elizabeth Simcoe , who

646-1030: The elements. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority ( TRCA ) is a conservation authority in southern Ontario , Canada . It owns about 16,000 hectares (40,000 acres) of land in the Toronto region, and it employs more than 400 full-time employees and coordinates more than 3,000 volunteers each year. TRCA's area of jurisdiction is watershed-based and includes 3,467 square kilometres (1,339 sq mi) – 2,506 on land and 961 water-based in Lake Ontario . This area comprises nine watersheds from west to east – Etobicoke Creek , Mimico Creek , Humber River , Don River , Highland Creek , Petticoat Creek , Rouge River , Duffins Creek and Carruthers Creek . The lands that TRCA administers are used for flood control , recreation, education and watershed preservation activities, including drinking water source protection. On several sites, TRCA operates conservation areas open to

680-422: The expansion of the existing beach by approximately 60 metres into Lake Ontario between Bluffer's Park and Meadowcliffe. On August 23, 2020, a large portion of the Scarborough Bluffs near Lookout Point collapsed onto a beach causing "explosion-like" sounds followed by a wave of dust. A number of beachgoers were in the area but there were no reports of injuries in the collapse. The Scarborough Bluffs have been

714-438: The fence. It's when they go on the wrong side of the fence that it causes issue". Currently, for those who ignore signage and enter restricted areas, fines of up to $ 5,000 will be handed out. A number of city parks are located along the bluffs from Victoria Park Avenue to Rouge River. Most are located on the top the bluffs, but some are located at the base along the shoreline with Lake Ontario. Development of parkland began with

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748-442: The general public to use their facilities, unlike typical public parks. After the deaths and damage of Hurricane Hazel in 1954, governments recognized the need for improved regulation of river floodplains . In 1957, the four Toronto-area authorities were merged into the single Metro Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and given full legal authority to purchase and expropriate lands for conservation. In conjunction with this,

782-639: The lands of the Don River valley from a proposed development. The Association went on to other activities, including tree plantings, wildflower and tree preservation and advocacy. The Association organized popular 'conservation special' train outings from the Don Station north along the CNR line to Richmond Hill and other destinations to promote the conservation of the Don Valley. Sauriol would later become

816-554: The municipalities that bordered their valleys , and any land purchases had to be proposed and funded from either the Province of Ontario grants, local municipal levies or grants on a project-by-project basis. For example, in 1951, the Don Valley CA proposed a conservation area at the point where Lawrence Avenue today crosses the East Don River in Toronto. The Don Valley CA also proposed a halt on transportation uses in

850-417: The park is located on top of bluffs with no access to the water. It was formerly known as Scarborough Bluffs Park before the municipal government renamed it as Scarboro Crescent Park, to discourage users from attempting to climb down from the location. One of the only park along the Bluffs that has direct access to the lake is Bluffer's Park. It features a sandy beach and man-made berms that provide views of both

884-556: The parks were acquired by the TRCA which developed into today's current parks. Sylvan Park was acquired by Metro Toronto in 1966, and later transferred to the TRCA. Rosetta McClain Gardens was another property acquired in 1959 by Metro Toronto from Robert Watson McClain. However, it did not become a park until 1977, when it was transferred to the TRCA. Most parks do not have direct access to Lake Ontario, such as Scarboro Crescent Park. Located on Cecil Crescent and due west of Bluffer's Park,

918-569: The public for recreational use. TRCA also operates the Black Creek Pioneer Village , which preserves several 1800s-era buildings in a pioneer setting. Several municipal parks inside and outside Toronto are located on TRCA lands, such as the Toronto Zoo , Humber Bay Park and Milne Park. TRCA operates five dams for flood control. TRCA assists its partners in contributing to a healthy city region. This includes ecology and

952-428: The study of water quality , natural habitats , plants, animals and more. It helps identify environmental needs, sets targets and restores natural areas. It advises partners about land use, development proposals and construction, and environmental education to help students and community members appreciate their local environment and learn to look after it. This work is focused in and around Toronto, including portions of

986-417: The surface, erosion and weathering may occur. Escarpments erode gradually and over geological time . The mélange tendencies of escarpments results in varying contacts between a multitude of rock types. These different rock types weather at different speeds, according to Goldich dissolution series so different stages of deformation can often be seen in the layers where the escarpments have been exposed to

1020-475: The then Borough of Scarborough prior to 1960, while some remained in private hands. The land that makes up Cathedral Bluffs Park was originally owned by Sisters of St. Joseph, who later sold it to developers; who left the area near the edge of the Bluffs as parkland. The land was later acquired by TRCA in 1960. Cudia Park and Scarborough Heights Park were parks that were acquired by Metro Toronto in 1960 from Scarborough, and later transferred to TRCA. From 1960 to 1978

1054-426: The use of explosives for the implementation of primarily industrial and some residential urban development. Even the existing formation has and continues to shrink considerably decade after a decade due to consistent and dramatic erosion. The Bluffs has become a community meeting place for people of all ages. It features various recreational hiking and walking trails, as well as picnic tables, fire pits, places to pitch

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1088-585: The valley. Funding was not approved for the project and the land was eventually used for the Don Valley Parkway project. In conjunction with the formation of the conservation authorities, volunteer organizations sprang up to assist the conservation authorities in their missions. In Toronto, the Don Valley Conservation Association was established in 1946 by Roy Cadwell, Rand Freeland and Charles Sauriol to protect

1122-467: Was later given to the entire township in 1796. In time, the cliffs became known as the Bluffs. A stylized version of The Bluffs was incorporated into the design of the official flag of the former city of Scarborough. The Scarborough Bluffs formerly extended further west along the coastline of Lake Ontario towards the Toronto Harbour , but extensive areas along the western fringe were leveled by

1156-435: Was the wife of the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada , John Graves Simcoe . The escarpment along Lake Ontario reminded Elizabeth Simcoe of the limestone cliffs in her hometown. In her diary, she wrote, "The shore is extremely bold and has the appearance of chalk cliffs, but I believe they are only white sand. They appeared so well that we talked of building a summer residence there and calling it Scarborough." The name

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