Help Shape the Future of Swan Lake Park!

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.

Natural Heritage and Destination Park Questionnaire

Swan Lake Park is one of the most biodiverse areas in Markham, but it is under stress from the increasing urbanization of the area. The challenge is to preserve the biodiversity while accommodating the increase in visitors to the park.

Markham is in the process of approving the Mt. Joy redevelopment plan along Markham Road, which will include several large condo complexes housing over 25,000 new residents. The increased population is expected to add to the number of visitors to Swan Lake Park.

Milne Dam Conservation Park and Toogood Pond Park are classified as Natural Heritage Lands and as Destination Parks. As such, greater financial resources are available for their care than for Swan Lake Park which is classified as a “Community Park” within “Other Greenway Lands”.

Friends of Swan Lake Park is soliciting your views on whether you support Swan Lake Park being granted the same status as Milne Dam Conservation Park and Toogood Pond Park

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A)      Natural Heritage Status and Expanding the Naturalized Areas Natural Heritage status is given to areas that contain natural features and serve as corridors for natural migration. Most of Swan Lake Park is categorized as “Natural Spaces, Wildlife Places”, meaning no mowing or spraying and “letting nature do its thing”.
1) Are you concerned about the loss of birds and biodiversity in Swan Lake Park?
2) Do you believe Markham should be doing more to preserve the bird and wildlife habitat in Swan Lake Park?
3) Would you support conversion of the open lawn areas along Williamson Road to “Natural Spaces, Wildlife Places” if it would help support the biodiversity of the park?
4) Would you like Markham to designate Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park as Natural Heritage areas?
B)      Destination Park Status and Possible New Amenities A Destination Park is expected to serve the broader community throughout Markham and to support visitors to Markham. Swan Lake Park already attracts bird watchers from across the area but is classified as a “Community Park”.
5) Are you concerned about the impact of the increased Mt. Joy population on Swan Lake Park?
6) Are you concerned about any increase in visitor traffic to Swan Lake Park on the wildlife?
7) The following new amenities have been discussed to support Swan Lake Park’s role as a Destination Park. Which ones would you support?
(a) In 2023, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority recommended recreational nodes to provide improved access to the lake. Do you support features such as recreational nodes to enhance shoreline access?
(b) Another suggestion was to increase locations for viewing, fishing and extending the pathways by building a boardwalk across the lake, from the southwest to the central outcrop. Would you support building a boardwalk across the western part of the lake?
(c) One proposal for improving oxygen levels in the lake is to circulate water through the North Channel. This could be designed to include one or two waterfalls. Would you like to see a waterfall in the park?
(d) Markham has established Forest Therapy areas in four other parks – areas to relax and reflect with nature. Would you support the creation of a “Forest Therapy” area in the raised wooded areas in Swan Lake Park?
(e) There is limited parking near Swan Lake Park. The original plan for Swan Lake Park included a parking lot on the south-west corner along Williamson Road. Do you support additional parking within Swan Lake Park along Williamson Road?
8) Would you support having Swan Lake Park declared a “Destination Park” and promoted throughout Markham and to visitors to the city?
10) Would you like to be kept up to date on the activities in Swan Lake Park?
11) Would you like to be a volunteer with the Friends of Swan Lake Park?