WELCOME!
Over 30 years, Swan Lake Park has evolved from an inactive, obscure gravel pit to the centre piece of the thriving Greensborough community.
Swan Lake Park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. But this wildlife is threatened by the deteriorating water conditions in Swan Lake and the erosion of sustainable terrestrial habitat in Swan Lake Park due to the unchecked intrusion of invasive plants. In terms of water quality, Swan Lake is consistently rated as a hypereutrophic lake, the poorest rating possible.
The Friends of Swan Lake Park (“FOSLP”), founded in 2019, is a group of Markham citizens committed to saving Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park through environmental best practices. Our March 2021 Park Improvement Survey summaries the community’s goals for Swan Lake Park.
In June 2020, Markham Council authorized several programs that address some immediate issues in Swan Lake Park and in December 2021 Council approved a long-term water quality plan for Swan Lake. These programs represent a significant starting point but much more needs to be done.
FOSLP’s May 2023 report outlines a range of lake management options to be considered in developing a comprehensive lake management program. FOSLP has asked Markham to convene a “workshop” of independent environmental experts to assess what are the best lake management options for Swan Lake. See History of Lake Management Discussions for Swan Lake.
Five Critical Programs Required
Friends of Swan Lake Park have outlined five additional programs that are required:
- Designation of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park as Natural Heritage Network Lands giving the park the same environmental protection status as Milne Dam Conservation Park and Toogood Pond Park.
- Establishment of a comprehensive water quality program that addresses all issues in Swan Lake.
- A program to end Swan Lake’s stormwater management role.
- Adoption of an “Eco Park” strategy comparable to City of Brampton’s that integrates environmental protection across all green spaces in Markham.
- Adoption of a “Lake Enhancement” strategy comparable to City of Brampton’s that encourages human interaction in all major water bodies in Markham.
Learn more about these critical programs
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FOSLP’s Three Stage Pathway to Sustainable Restoration
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FOSLP’s Report on Natural Heritage Network Land status
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FOSLP’s Report on Ending Swan Lake’s Stormwater Role (May 2022)
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Need for a More Comprehensive Water Quality Program
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Need for an Eco Park Strategy and a Lake Enhancement Strategy
A Bird’s Eye View of Swan Lake Park
Take a drone tour of Swan Lake Park courtesy of Thomas Yee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSIHpgpMz44
OUR GOALS
LATEST NEWS
New Sidewalks at Swan Lake Park – Markham Review
11/30/2021 Markham Review The south end of the Swan Lake Park is heavily used by residents with mobility challenges from two adjacent retirement communities, Amica Swan Lake and Swan Lake Village. During discussions with Markham Council in 2020, the Friends of Swan Lake Park asked the city to address three areas
New Swan Lake sidewalks in Markham improve safety, accessibility_ YorkRegion.com
Yorkregion.com – Dec. 9, 2021 New Swan Lake sidewalks in Markham improve safety, accessibility 'Very important improvement for our local community' Heidi Riedner Markham Economist & Sun Wednesday, December 8, 2021 Access to Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park for Amica and Swan Lake Village residents is now much safer
New, Safe Sidewalks Installed at Swan Lake Park
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2021 Thank You Markham for New Sidewalks at Swan Lake Park Markham, ON - The Friends of Swan Lake Park and area residents extend a thank you to Ward 5 Councillor Andrew Keyes and City of Markham staff for building sidewalks at the Swan
Designating Swan Lake Park as part of Markham’s Natural Heritage Network Lands
In the 2014 Official Plan, Markham has designated many ecologically sensitive areas as part of its Greenway System. Areas within the Greenway System are areas “that will preserve significant ecological value” and that “provide opportunities to improve biodiversity and connectivity of natural features and ecological function”. Areas within the Greenway
Swan Lake Shoreline Redesign Proposal April 2022
In April 2022, Markham staff outlined a proposed plan to redesign Swan Lake’s shoreline that will substantially improve Swan Lake Park and provide some important environmental benefits. The design goals of the project, undertaken by staff from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, includes reducing the appeal of the park