Survey

Help Shape the Future of Swan Lake Park!

In 2021, Markham Council will be discussing the long term goals for Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. The results from this survey will be shared with Council, so this is an opportunity for you to help shape the future of both Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park.

Name
Prefix First Last
Email
Phone
Postal Code
Postal Code
1) Are you a resident of Markham?
- Yes
- No
If yes, where in Markham do you live?
- Swan Lake Village
- Amica
- Other, within walking distance of the Park
- Other, but not within walking distance of the Park
2) How would you describe your household?
- Family with young children
- Family, multi generations
- Working adult(s) only
- Retired adult(s) only
3) Does anyone in your household face mobility challenges?
- Yes
- No
4) Each year, how frequently do you visit the Park in the warm weather? Chose one.
- Daily
- At least once a week
- At least once a month
- Only once in a while
- Never
5) How do you typically get to the Park? Choose one.
- Always walk
- Usually walk
- Always drive
- Usually drive
- Other
6) Why do you visit the Park? Indicate any that apply to your household.
- To walk the pathways
- To walk our dog
- To ride bikes
- To enjoy a few moments with nature
- To go to the viewing deck to see the swans, wildlife
- To go to the viewing deck to watch the sunset
- To relax on the benches and view the lake from the lookouts
- To take my children/grandchildren to the playground
- To picnic or meet with friends
- Other
7) What areas need to be added or improved in Swan Lake Park?
- Children's play areas
- Tennis/pickle ball play areas
- Basketball courts
- Pathways
- Fishing in the lake
- Ability to access the lake shoreline
- Benches for viewing areas
- A new viewing deck or dock on the west side, near Williamson Road
- Ability to view the lake
- Parking
8) The original vision for Swan Lake Park include recreational activities that are not currently available. Which of the following activities would you like to see in Swan Lake Park?
- Swimming
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Sport fishing
- Ice skating
- Children's Nature Camp
- Other (add comment at end of survey)

9) Markham has designated Swan Lake Park as a "Natural Spaces, Wildlife Places" park. What does this mean to you? Indicate if you agree or disagree.

	Strongly disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly agree
The park should be primarily naturalized areas, minimal groomed areas
The park should have more grass areas, more open areas for children to play
The tall reeds around the lake should be removed to provide better views of the lake
We should try to reduce the number of Canada Geese in the Park and Lake
We should support and improve the habitat for land and water based wildlife.

10) In 2020, two wild Trumpeter Swans, part of a province wide program to restore Trumpeter Swans to Ontario, made Swan Lake their summer home. If Trumpeter Swans adopt a lake as their home they may settle in flocks, regularly producing offspring. Traditionally Swan Lake Village has placed two domesticated Mute Swans in the lake. The Mute Swans tend to chase Trumpeters away so the lake will not support both. What is your view with regard to the swans of Swan Lake? Choose only one.
- I believe we should support programs that would encourage the wild Trumpeter Swans to settle in Swan Lake
- I would like to see the return of the domesticated Mute Swans each year
- I believe we should let nature unfold naturally and not get involved
11) What should be done with the new park area along Williamson Road?
Strongly disagree Disagree Agree Strongly agree
It should be left as open spaces
It should be used for tennis/pickle ball courts
It should be used for basketball courts
It should be naturalized

12) What level of water quality would you like to see in Swan Lake? Rate each outcome.

	Desired Outcome	Acceptable Outcome	Bad Outcome	Indifferent
Clear water; wide range of plants and fish; swimming and canoeing possible
Moderately clear water; good range of plants & fish; canoeing; swimming if monitored
Poor water clarity; limited range of plants and fish; no human interaction
Water dark green; only a few plants and fish; no human interaction

13) Due to concerns over the possible health risk due to signs of cyanobacteria in Swan Lake, the fountain was removed and fishing temporarily banned. Once water quality is improved should the City remove these bans?
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
The fountain should be brought back
Fishing should be permitted again
14) Swan Lake is a unique water body. It does not fall under the regulatory umbrella of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority so there is no applicable environmental regulatory framework. As Steward of Swan Lake Park, should Markham establish a long term, sustainable Stewardship Plan recognizing the broader community and environmental role of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park with management goals and responsibilities addressing all recreational and environmental elements?
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree
15) Markham Council is being asked to commit to a long term plan for the restoration of the water quality in Swan Lake. Preliminary estimates are that a sustainable plan for restoring and maintaining Swan Lake are in the order of $1.5 - $2.0 million over 20 years, or about $75,000 - $100,000 per year. The cost of restoring the land based elements has not been determined yet. Is this a good use of city funds? Choose one.
- I support the investment to restore Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park
- I believe there are better uses for the city's funds
16) Do you have other areas of concern, suggestions or comments to share?
17) Would you like to be kept up to date on the activities in Swan Lake Park?
- Yes (Please give us your name and email above)
- No
18) Would you like to be a volunteer with the Friends of Swan Lake Park?
- Yes (Please give us your name and email above)
- No
Comments
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