Scarborough Bluffs

The Scarborough Bluffs, also known as The Bluffs, is an escarpment in the Scarborough district of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a natural cliff that runs along the eastern part of the city's waterfront. The Bluffs rise high above the shore of Lake Ontario, offering beautiful views and a unique landscape.

There are nine parks along the Scarborough Bluffs, and Bluffers Park is special because it has a beach where people can enjoy the water. The highest point of the Bluffs is about 90 metres, or 300 feet, above the coastline. The cliffs stretch for about 15 kilometres, or 9.3 miles, along the lakeshore.

The Scarborough Bluffs are important because they form a big part of Toronto's natural beauty. They are a popular spot for walking, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors. Many people visit the parks and beaches to see the stunning views and learn about the area's history and geology.

History

The French called the cliffs "Les Grands Ecores," meaning tall points on the shore. In 1788, they were known as the High Lands. In 1793, they became called the Scarborough Highlands, named after a place in England by Elizabeth Simcoe, the wife of the first leader of Upper Canada. She thought the cliffs looked like the limestone cliffs near her hometown.

Over time, the cliffs shrank because of erosion and were also shortened for building projects. Today, the Scarborough Bluffs is a popular place for people to visit. You can hike, walk, have picnics, and even camp there. There are also places to park, a restaurant, and a marina for boats.

Geology

The Scarborough Bluffs stretch for about 15 kilometres from near Victoria Park Avenue to Highland Creek, reaching heights of up to 90 metres — as tall as twenty-five storeys. These cliffs are part of an old shoreline from a huge ancient lake that formed after the last ice age. Over time, pieces from the cliffs have washed away and settled to create the Toronto Islands.

Issues

Erosion

The Scarborough Bluffs have been wearing away quickly, especially since homes were built along the top. Since the 1940s, many people have wanted to live there because of the beautiful views, which caused more building and faster erosion. This erosion has damaged some homes and required money to fix and protect the area. In 2008, a part of a cottage owned by an actor almost fell off the cliff. To help stop the erosion, workers placed large rocks and trees at the bottom. However, doing this needed space to bring in trucks, which meant changing some parts of the bluffs.

In 2017, a group called the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority started a project to improve about 11 kilometres of the shoreline. This included making the beach wider.

In August 2020, a big part of the bluffs near Lookout Point suddenly broke away. Although some people were nearby, no one was hurt.

Safety

Many people visit the Scarborough Bluffs for photos and walks, but the area can be unsafe because of erosion and flooding. Some visitors ignore warning signs and go into areas that might collapse. The authorities say it is safe to stay on the correct side of the fence, but going to the other side can be very dangerous. People who enter restricted areas can be fined up to $5,000.

Parks

See also: List of Toronto parks

Many city parks line the Scarborough Bluffs from Victoria Park Avenue to Rouge River. Most sit atop the bluffs, though some rest along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Bluffer's Park is special because it has a beach. It also offers great views of the bluffs and the lake thanks to special land formations called berms. The park opened in 1975 after land was purchased in 1960.

Other parks nearby include Port Union Waterfront Park, which has special structures called breakwaters that help protect its shoreline. Similar breakwaters can also be found between Sylvan Park and Cudia Park. More land and paths were added to create a nice area at East Point Park.

Municipal parks on the Scarborough Bluffs includes:

• Bluffer's Park
• Cathedral Bluffs Park
• Chesterton Shores
• Crescentwood Park
• Cudia Park
• East Point Park
• Doris McCarthy Trail
• Greyabbey Park
• Guild Park and Gardens
• Harrison Properties
• Port Union Waterfront Park
• Rosetta McClain Gardens
• Rouge Beach Park
• Scarboro Crescent Park
• Scarborough Heights Park
• South Marine Drive Park
• Sylvan Park

Communities

In the area of the Scarborough Bluffs, there are two groups that help the community. The Scarborough Bluffs Community Association looks after the Birch Cliff, Cliffside, and Cliffcrest neighbourhoods. The Guildwood Village Community Association takes care of the Guildwood Village neighbourhood.