ABOUT US

A COMMUNITY THAT CARES

The Friends of Swan Lake Park are citizens of Markham committed to saving Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park.

In 2012, Swan Lake was ranked 15^th out of 17 man-made urban lakes in Ontario in terms of water quality and is consistently rated as a hypereutrophic lake, the poorest rating possible.

The Friends of Swan Lake Park has set out three long term restoration goals:

• A sustainable plan for restoration of water quality;
• A sustainable plan for restoration of aquatic and land based habitat and
• A commitment by the City of Markham to a long term Stewardship Plan for both Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park.

The groups June 2020 Pathway to Sustainability report outlines the primary objectives and the options it is asking the city to consider for restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. Click on the above link for more information.

In December 2020, the group released a report, “A Pathway to Sustainable Water Quality for Swan Lake” that summarizes the key issues that must be addressed in restoring a healthy aquatic environment to the lake. Click on the above link for more information.

Interconnected Elements in Swan Lake Park

Many interconnected elements contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

In 2020, with a little help from their Friends, Markham Council recognized the need to address some critical issues in Swan Lake Park and promptly authorized four essential programs:

• Approved a treatment of Phoslock for Swan Lake in spring of 2021, a chemical treatment that will help minimize the current excessive amounts of phosphorus in Swan Lake;
• An enhanced geese management program to reduce one of the primary sources of excess phosphorus and nitrogen entering Swan Lake each year;
• A Park Refresh program that will address some of the invasive plant species in the Park and will include a review of options for redesigning the shoreline areas to reduce the attractiveness to Canada Geese while improving public viewing access;
• Improved pedestrian safety with the installation of new sidewalks around the Swan Lake Boulevard traffic circle.

For 2021, Council has asked staff to report back on a Park Improvement program. The following chart illustrates actions that are underway and highlights area that need to be considered under a Park Improvement program.