Checking In: Bluffer's Beach and @waterkeepermark
For the Checking In series, Mark Mattson checks in with Bluffer’s Beach in Toronto. In the early 2000s, Bluffer’s Beach was the subject of one of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper’s first efforts to restore beach water quality. Today, Bluffer’s Beach is one of Toronto’s top swimming beaches.
Q: How often do you visit Bluffer’s beach?
A: Almost every day...even if from Bluffs above the beach. I walk down and visit a couple of times a week. It is precious for Scarborough to have Bluffer’s Beach. It is the only publicly accessible beach for recreational use, with water quality monitoring, in an almost 20 kilometre stretch of waterfront between Kew-Balmy and Rouge Beach. I try and post photos on our Waterkeeper Facebook and Twitter.
Bluffer’s Beach, Toronto on June 13, 2020
Q: How clean is the water at Bluffer’s Beach?
A: For over a decade now, the water quality at Bluffer’s Beach has been some of the best in Toronto. It is a small swimming area, around 200 meters, but it is sandy, warm, and clean most of the time. Bluffer’s Beach is also Blue Flag certified - which is very good.
That said, the public must be better warned about water access points at Bluffer’s Park, and other nice beaches, that are not clean. Because of stormwater and other wastes that are discharged into Dunkers Flow Basin on the west side of park, recreational water use is not encouraged.
Maybe this summer, our Lake Ontario Waterkeeper monitoring hub will expand to include some of these sites. People from the waterhood are in the Lake and it is not always safe.
I am sure, as was the case at the Blue Flag eastern Bluffers Beach, work can be done to restore the western waters as well.
Q: Have you conducted any investigations at Bluffer’s Beach to improve water quality?
A: Yes, the Bluffer’s Beach was one of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper’s first efforts to restore beach water quality. In the late 1990s and until 2005, Bluffer’s Beach was always posted for no swimming. It was top 3 in the dirtiest beaches in Toronto.
We became very active. We investigated the area, sampled the creeks and streams discharging onto the beach, and along with an expert in environmental investigations, we worked together to identify problems and bring them to the attention of the City.
We also spoke with the public through our website and in the media about the issues.
The city undertook a major restoration project in 2006- 2007. The creeks and streams were contained by a wetland and not allowed to enter the swimming area. It made a huge difference. The beach went from Toronto’s worst to its best.
Here are some of the links that tell the whole story if interested:
Investigating Municipal Beaches: Lessons from Bluffer's Park
Investigating municipal beaches
Q: Are you sampling at Bluffer’s Beach this summer?
A: Lake Ontario Waterkeeper is sampling the locations in downtown Toronto and at Ontario Place Beach as we did last summer. We are creating a database of water quality in Toronto at places that are not currently but may become swimming locations in the future. We need the data to interpret and understand the problem before making recommendations. That helps us identify solutions and open connections to the Lake in our urban core.
Certainly, Bluffer’s Beach would qualify as a great place to expand, but it will require resources and more travel. Our laboratory is at Toronto’s Harbourfront. Maybe though, given the concerns about current use by families and suspected pollution, we can find a way this year or next year.
Q: What is your favourite part of going to Bluffer’s Beach?
A: It has always been the people. Amazing to hear and see the families from Scarborough who cherish this break from the city and get to the water and the Lake.
The music, food, games, and community at Bluffer’s is beautiful.
Also, it is just so stunningly beautiful. The geological history. The Indigenous history. The story of restoration. Historic pollution, power, money all had to be overcome to ensure clean water at Bluffer’s. That makes it worth visiting too.
People enjoying Bluffer’s Beach, taken on June 13, 2020
Q: Will you swim at Bluffer’s Beach this summer?
A: Hopefully on a hot day, after a run…I’ll find a nice stretch of clean water and make my way out to the deeper water for a swim.
Q: How can people interested in Bluffer’s Beach get more involved?
A: Easy. Go visit sometime, maybe early morning or evening is best. Maybe volunteer. Take photos and share with us @LOWaterkeeper, @swimguide, @GL_Guide, and @swimdrinkfish.
Also, read about the future of your waterfront: The Scarborough Waterfront Project: An opportunity to protect one of Lake Ontario’s great treasures.
Maybe learn more about our water quality monitoring hubs and how to become a citizen scientist.
Read more from the Checking In with @waterkeepermark series here.
Connect with us on Twitter, @LOWaterkeeper and @waterkeepermark.
