Wilket Creek Rehabilitation Project
The Project
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), on behalf of the City of Toronto, has initiated a study to assess the geomorphic systems and habitat of the Wilket Creek subwatershed in developing a long-term strategy to address ongoing hazards to municipal lands and infrastructure within Wilket Creek Park as a result of stream erosion.
In accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act, the proposed undertaking is being completed under a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA); the prescribed process for projects of this nature. A Master Plan for the water course will be developed thought the Class EA process that will provide recommendations for the long-term stabilization of Wilket Creek.
In addition to the completion of the Class EA, emergency works within Wilket Creek Park are being undertaken as the result of the determination during the initial field investigations that three (3) priority areas were identified within Wilket Creek Park as requiring urgent repairs where erosion has exposed the existing sanitary sewer. Emergency repairs are proposed to be carried out over the next several months at these priority areas, to ensure the protection of municipal infrastructure while the overall strategy is being developed.
The Project Background
Watercourses and adjacent park areas within the City of Toronto sustained a significant amount of damage as the result of the August 19, 2005 storm event. In response to the damage caused, City of Toronto PF&R entered into an agreement with TRCA in February of 2007, to complete the repairs required to return the damaged areas to a state of good repair in order to ensure protection of life and property within the City of Toronto parks systems while funding for long term rehabilitation of key sites was sought.
The Wilket Creek tributary of the East Don River was one of the watercourses that suffered a significant amount of damage as the result of the August 19, 2005 storm event. In 2007/8 TRCA staff undertook large scale restoration works within Edwards Gardens, and a series of 10 state of good repair projects within Wilket Creek Park, as part of the aforementioned agreement entered into by PF&R and TRCA in February of 2007.
On June 23, 2008 Wilket Creek was subjected to another serious rainfall event, resulting in damage to three of the state of good repair sites, previously repaired by TRCA. At this point, it was determined by TRCA and the City that state of good repair works were no longer sufficient to address the ongoing risk to infrastructure and public safety within Wilket Creek Park.
Planning Mechanism for the Undertaking
The project is following the planning and design process prescribed in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for Schedule "B" projects, with the intent of developing a Master Plan for long-term remediation of the entire watercourse.
The Class EA requirements for the development of a Master Plan are as follows:
Phase 1: Definition of the Problem;
Phase 2: Identification and Assessment of Alternative Solutions;
These phases will identify any potential negative and positive effects with the implementation of the project. TRCA will document the decision making process and the value judgments made in selecting the alternative solutions, and will develop a detailed Project Folder upon completion of the study. The Project Folder will be available for review upon request by all interested parties.
The Notice of Study Commencement is available below, and was published in the North York Mirror on June 23, 2011 and June 24, 2011 to inform the local community of the commencement of the Wilket Creek Channel (within Wilket Creek Park) Rehabilitation Study to Address Erosion Hazards Threatening Infrastructure and Geomorphic Systems and Habitat Study, and to advise the public of the mechanisms by which they can participate in the project.
Public and Agency Consultation
The Municipal Class EA process provides that all views be taken into consideration during the planning and design phases of the project. In addition to the development of a comprehensive project contact list comprised of concerned citizens, local interest groups, government agencies and and non-governmental organizations who will receive project information and provide comment as the project progresses, Public Information Centres (Open Houses) will be held to provide detailed information regarding the study, obtain feedback on the evaluation of alternative options and the development of long-term remedial measures, and address any concerns raised regarding the proposed works, and recommended long-term solutions prior to finalizing the study.
If you would like more information about the study, or would like to be added to the Contact List to receive information as the investigation progresses, including notification of Public Information Centres, please contact:
Patricia Newland
Project Manager, Environmental Engineering Projects
Tel: (416) 392-9690
Email: pnewland@trca.on.ca
Documents
Notice of Study Commencement and PIC 
Wilket Creek Rehabilitation Project Information Package 1
Notice of Construction- Emergency Works Phase I
Notice of Construction- Emergency Works Phase II
2012-03-23 Construction Progress Update
2012-05-18 Project Update:
Emergency Works Phase II is now complete. The Bata Trail connection from Edwards Gardens to Sunnybrook Park is open to the public effective May 18, 2012.
