Preserving the Waterfront: Leslie Street Spit
The shipping channel to Toronto’s Harbour is through the Eastern Gap, immediately east of Ward’s Island. Occasionally, the TPA is faced with the prospect of dredging this channel to ensure safe navigation. The frequency of dredging has decreased substantially in this area due to protection from the prevailing currents by the Leslie Street Spit.
Construction began on the Leslie Street Spit landfill site – adjacent Outer Harbour – in the late 1950s and is an ongoing project for the TPA. The Spit now forms a natural barrier and blocks the lake current carrying sand originating from the Scarborough Bluffs. Shoreline protection has largely solved the Bluff’s erosion problem, thus further reducing the need for frequent dredging.
The Leslie Street Spit is a unique creation and a valuable asset for harbour maintenance. Although it remains an active landfill site during the week, on weekends it reverts to a popular park and conservation area much loved by Toronto citizens and visitors for its variety of plants and wildlife. The Spit is a natural paradise for hikers, bikers, and bird watchers, and as such, a portion of the Spit falls under the jurisdiction of the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority.
The Toronto Port Authority is working closely with the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority and the Department of Fisheries & Oceans on a new project to create additional aquatic habitat at the Leslie Street Spit. This project is scheduled for completion in mid-2012.
The Leslie Street Spit is open to fill Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. The general public is welcome to use the Spit for recreational purposes from 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 7:30 a.m. on weekends.
Wondering what you can bring to the Spit? Please see the Notice to Contractors and Truckers to find out