HELP SAVE SWAN LAKE PARK

WELCOME!

Over 30 years, Swan Lake Park has evolved from an inactive, obscure gravel pit to the centre piece of the thriving Greensborough community.

Described by ecologists as a “constructed wetland”, Swan Lake Park is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, but this wildlife is threatened by the increasing urbanization of the area and the poor water conditions in Swan Lake.

2025 Activities:

1. FOSLP partnered with leading researchers from York University to launch the Swan Lake Citizen Science Lab. Read about the SLCS Lab.
2. We had a very active and productive year. Read about our efforts to rehabilitate the lake and park.

The Friends of Swan Lake Park (“FOSLP”) is focused on the development of a sustainable environmental plan for Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. Our March 2021 Park Improvement Survey summarizes the community’s goals for Swan Lake Park.

Four Critical Issues

FOSLP is focused on four critical issues related to the rehabilitation of Swan Lake and preserving the biodiversity of Swan Lake Park.

1) Having Markham recognize the ecological significance of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park by:

a) Designating 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.

b) Designating Swan Lake Park as a “City-wide Special Purpose Park” and recognizing the need for investments to support its critical role in the community.

In June 2025, Markham Council agreed to review the park’s status under Markham’s Official Plan.

Read FOSLP’s Submission to Reclassify Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park (June 2025)

2) Developing a stewardship program to preserve the biodiversity of Swan Lake Park. In 2026, FOSLP will be focusing on development of the key elements in a long-term stewardship plan for Swan Lake Park.

Read FOSLP’s Biodiversity Report (June 2025)

3) Establishing a comprehensive water quality program that addresses all of the issues in Swan Lake, including Implementing changes to reduce and potentially end Swan Lake’s stormwater management role. In December 2025, FOSLP submitted its recommendations for a long-term sustainable water quality plan for Swan Lake.

Read FOSLP’s recommendations for the water quality program for Phase 2 (2026-2030) (December 2025)

4) Adopting a “Lake Enhancement” strategy comparable to City of Brampton’s that encourages human interaction in all major water bodies in Markham.

Need for 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

Thank you to Our Financial Contributors and Volunteers

Over the past two years, FOSLP was fortunate in raising $40,000: a $25,000 grant from Hydro One and $15,000 from our corporate sponsors UA Local 46 – Plumbers and Fitters, CaTech, Walker Parker Real Estate and Amica Swan Lake. These funds enabled us to hire aquatic biologists from R.J. Burnside and Associates (“Burnside”) and Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (“NRSI”) to provide their objective professional perspective for the development of the Phase 2 water quality plan.

Two Ways You Can Help

We are always looking for volunteers to support our rehabilitation efforts. If interested in helping to preserve Swan Lake Park, please register at Volunteer – Friends of Swan Lake Park

It takes $3,000 – $5,000 per year to support our programs. Please help by etransferring funds to treasurerfoslp@gmail.com. All donations appreciated.

Thank you to all the volunteers and individual donors that have supported our efforts since inception.