In the 2014 Official Plan, Markham has designated many ecologically sensitive areas as part of its Greenway System. Areas within the Greenway System are areas “that will preserve significant ecological value” and that “provide opportunities to improve biodiversity and connectivity of natural features and ecological function”. Areas within the Greenway system are protected from future
In April 2022, Markham staff outlined a proposed plan to redesign Swan Lake’s shoreline that will substantially improve Swan Lake Park and provide some important environmental benefits. The design goals of the project, undertaken by staff from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, includes reducing the appeal of the park area as a nesting habitat
The City of Brampton recently initiated two programs that provide an integrated environmental focus for their parks and lakes. Brampton’s approach is referred to as “holistic” - assessing the whole. Their Eco Park and Lake Enhancement Strategies are designed to bring together all elements to achieve integrated community and environmental objectives for their parks and
Swan Lake Park’s role as a “Natural Spaces/Wildlife Places” community park is undermined by several early design decisions that established Swan Lake as an active element in the local stormwater management regime. In essence, Swan Lake is the “third” stormwater pond in Swan Lake Park, and we believe this role is not necessary and should
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 31, 2021 Plea to Markham Council to Restore Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park Markham, ON - Today, the Friends of Swan Lake Park submitted to Markham Council the results from its Park Improvement survey on the future of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. The survey was completed by 367
Recognizing that the topic of managing water quality is complex and that any solution needs to be tailored to the specific environment, the Friends of Swan Lake Park engaged Dr. Barbara Siembida-Losch, a senior scientist at the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies at Fleming College to assess what, in addition to Phoslock,
The Park Improvement Survey was completed by 367 residents primarily from the Greensborough area in early March 2021. The respondents stated their appreciation for proximity to a naturalized site and provided perspective on a number of topics including their vision for additional park amenities. There are numerous detailed comments and a variety of community perspectives
Swan Lake Park in Markham is home to a rich diversity of wildlife. But this wildlife is threatened by the deteriorating water conditions in Swan Lake and the erosion of sustainable terrestrial habitat in Swan Lake Park due to the unchecked intrusion of invasive plants. The environmental elements in the Park are all interconnected and
Phoslock is a modified clay product made from naturally occurring products lanthanum and bentonite. Lanthanum binds with phosphorus to produce lanthanum phosphate. Lanthanum phosphate is very insoluble and therefore once bound phosphorus remains locked up within the bentonite. Phoslock settles on the sediment and so long as there are active lanthanum sites it will continue
Phoslock targets the critical goal of reducing phosphorus already in the lake while the Geese Management program should help reduce the major external source of phosphorus and nitrogen. We are not aware of any planned changes in stormwater management design or practices in and around the park; however improvement in stormwater management practices could have
