- More than 1.2 kilometres of the historic Fort Erie Breakwall have now been rehabilitated through a multi-year investment
- Trail improvements, landscape restoration and enhanced shoreline infrastructure will help preserve public access to one of Fort Erie’s most scenic waterfront areas
- Media assets are available here.
Fort Erie, ON – Niagara Parks is pleased to announce a major milestone in its multi-year project to rebuild and restore the Fort Erie Breakwall and surrounding infrastructure following significant damage from extreme weather events in recent years. This important construction project is helping safeguard the Niagara River shoreline while enhancing public access to one of Fort Erie’s most scenic waterfront areas.
Representing an investment of more than $7.1 million to date, Niagara Parks has replaced over 1.2 kilometres of the roughly 2.15-kilometre breakwall and added 568 metres of additional shoreline improvements to better protect the infrastructure from future damage. The investment supports Niagara Parks’ ongoing efforts to strengthen the shoreline, adjacent parkland and recreational trails against the impacts of severe weather, erosion and high-water events.
Protecting Critical Waterfront Along the South Niagara River Corridor
To preserve this important stretch of waterfront, Niagara Parks completed shoreline improvements along 568 metres of the breakwall between 2023 and 2026, focusing on high-impact areas near Mather Arch and the Peace Bridge. The work included a new foundation system, large in-water armour stone and replacement concrete breakwall sections designed to absorb wave energy, reduce erosion and strengthen the shoreline against future weather events.
The improvements build on recommendations from a coastal engineering firm following the 2019 ice wall event, which damaged multiple sections of the breakwall and highlighted the need for a stronger and more resilient shoreline. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the project forms part of Niagara Parks’ long-term Shoreline Protection Strategy, launched in 2025 to improve the resiliency of the shoreline, nearby parkland and recreational trails.
The installation of in-water armour stone helps protect the repaired breakwall from future wave and ice damage while supporting fish habitat by reducing near-shore water velocity. Niagara Parks worked closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which reviewed and approved the project.
PrImproved Trail Access and Long-Term Resilience
In addition to shoreline protection work, Niagara Parks completed improvements to 670 metres of the Niagara River Recreation Trail. This included relocating 250 metres of trail to higher ground closer to the Niagara Parkway to help reduce the impacts of flooding and severe weather, as well as regrading and reconstructing 420 metres of low-lying trail that was prone to water damage. The project was developed in collaboration with the Government of Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which reviewed and approved the work to support long-term shoreline and habitat stability.
The trail has reopened, while final shoreline work continues along a small section of the breakwall. All remaining work is expected to be completed by October 2026.
Background
- The Fort Erie Breakwall extends approximately two kilometres north from Old Fort Erie beyond the Peace Bridge and helps preserve shoreline, parkland and recreational trails where Lake Erie flows into the Niagara River.
- Originally constructed in the mid-1900s, the breakwall has sustained damage from severe storms, high water levels and ice buildup, including significant impacts from the 2019 ice wall event.
- Between 2023 and 2026, Niagara Parks completed shoreline improvements along 568 metres of the breakwall, including a new foundation system, replacement concrete sections and in-water armour stone protection.
- More than 1.2 kilometres of the approximately 2.15-kilometre breakwall have now been rehabilitated through Niagara Parks’ ongoing restoration program.
- Niagara Parks has invested more than $7.1 million in breakwall rehabilitation and waterfront resiliency improvements to date.
- Final shoreline protection work is expected to be completed by October 2026.
- In 1951, Niagara Parks opened the Rainbow Platform, which has become one of Niagara Falls’ most iconic, bucket-list viewing experiences.
- This investment builds upon recent renovations to the ticketing and queuing areas of Journey Behind the Falls (2023), as part of the $52 million transformation of Niagara Parks’ flagship Table Rock Centre.
Media assets are available here.
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