OUR MISSION
To encourage the City of Markham, in its role as Steward of Swan Lake Park (the “Park”), to immediately address the poor water quality issues in Swan Lake (the “Lake”), to establish a comprehensive Environmental Plan for the Lake and Park that addresses all environmental issues and to establish a Stewardship Policy for the Lake and Park that includes a sustainable Restoration Program and a monitoring framework that will trigger timely remedial responses in the future.
Action Plan for Sustainability
In June 2020, the Friends of Swan Lake Park outlined for the City of Markham, in its role as Steward of Swan Lake Park, a recommended action plan for sustainable solutions. For a summary of the proposed action plan click here.
Markham Council Actions Initiated in 2020
In 2020, the City of Markham Council recognized the need to address a variety of the issues in the Park and authorized three programs that will immediately address some of the critical issues:
- 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 that will 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.
In 2020, Markham’s park staff was active repairing pathway damage, clearing brush back from some pathways and planted 32 new trees near the windmill in the northeast area of the park.
Defining the Future of Swan Lake Park in 2021
Council has asked staff to work with the Friends of Swan Lake Park and to co-ordinate its plans with the Markham Subcommittee of Council and to report back to full Council in 2021 on the following:
- On a Park Improvement program
- On an overall water quality policy outlining the goals and frequency of future treatment for maintaining water quality;
- On plans for a new fish management program commencing in 2021;
In support of the discussions on the future of Swan Lake Park, the Friends of Swan Lake Park has undertaken three initiatives:
- Developed a report, “A Pathway to Sustainable Water Quality For Swan Lake” outlining the four underlying issues that are impacting water quality in Swan Lake and outlining the need for further investigation of naturalization options to complement an ongoing Phoslock treatment program.
- Commissioned a report by Dr. Barbara Siembida-Lösch of Fleming College on possible naturalization solutions for the four water quality challenges facing Swan Lake. The report is expected to be finalized by the end of February 2021.
- Initiated a community survey of residents’ views on the community role, the long term environmental goals and recreational elements they would like to see within Swan Lake Park and Swan Lake.