FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 1, 2020

Plea to Markham Council to Save Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park

Markham, ON – Today, the Friends of Swan Lake Park issued a plea to Markham Council to help save Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. The group of Markham residents, formed to save Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park, submitted to all members of Markham Council their recommendations for restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park.

The report, “Pathway to Sustainability”, sets out goals and solutions that if adopted by the City of Markham will lead to the restoration of the aquatic elements in the Lake as well as the land based habitat in the Park. The full report is available at https://friendsofswanlakepark.ca/pathway-to-sustainability/ .

The program requires the City of Markham to commit to a basic four step program:

  • Stop treating Swan Lake as a stormwater pond. The Lake was designed to fill a broader community role but it has been allowed to deteriorate. Restore the original objectives that included sport fishing and water based sports.
  • Restore the water quality to the levels attained in 2014, following a treatment with Phoslock in 2013 that significantly reduced the phosphorus levels in the lake. This improved water quality could be maintained by repeated treatments every three years. However, the group believes the need for future treatments can be reduced or delayed if the city invests in several low cost programs that will reduce the amount of phosphorus entering the Lake and by adopting environmentally friendly programs that can remove phosphorus from the Lake.
  • Restore the aquatic and land based habitat by drawing upon the expertise of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.
  • Commit to a long term stewardship plan that will ensure that the investment in restoring the lake and park will be sustained for the benefit by future generations.

The Friends of Swan Lake Park released its report to Council in anticipation of an upcoming recommendation by City staff on the water quality issues in Swan Lake. Details of the staff recommendations are not known at this time.

Fred Peters, spokesperson for the group, says that addressing the deteriorating water quality in the Lake is an essential building block but it is critical that Council also address the broader environmental issues in the Lake and Park. The City of Markham, as Steward of Swan Lake Park, has an obligation to ensure a long term sustainable solution that will serve future generations.

Swan Lake Park, 25 Swan Park Road in Markham, is located north of 16th Avenue, midway between Markham Road and 9th Line. The Park is home to over 90 species of birds and mammals. Swan Lake is dying, many fish have died, and plants cannot survive in the murky water. The Lake contains bacteria that can be harmful to animals and humans and seven invasive plant species are overtaking the Park.

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For more information contact:
Fred Peters – (416) 460-7090 contact@friendsofswanlakepark.ca
Website: www.friendsofswanlakepark.ca