Many have witnessed first-hand the poor water quality issues in Swan Lake.
Three Stage Program for Sustainable Restoration
Swan Lake started as a gravel quarry in the 1850’s and was used to supply gravel for the new rail lines passing through the area. It was abandoned until restarted as a gravel quarry in the 1950’s. When quarry operations ended in the late 1960’s, it filled with water and became the local skating and fishing pond for several decades before being converted into Swan Lake Park.
FOSLP efforts are focused on a three stage program: 1) Reparations 2) Restoration, and 3) Stewardship
Reparation Programs Initiated by Markham Council
Fortunately, Markham has responded well and immediately addressed several issues related to accessibility for those with walking mobility challenges by repairing park pathways and adding new sidewalks around the traffic circle on Swan Lake Boulevard.
Markham staff moved quickly to address some of the invasive plant species identified by some of our volunteers and initiated the planting of pollinator flowers near the windmill.
One of the major changes to come was unveiled in April 2022 – a redesign of the shoreline area to remove some of the high reeds around the south and east side of the lake to reopen viewing of the lake while creating barriers to reduce the attractiveness of the area for nesting by Canada Geese.
Work is expected to start in the fall of 2022 to remove the tall invasive reeds, called phragmites, and to repair existing and install new viewing areas. It may take 2-3 years for new vegetation to take hold along the shoreline.
Restoration of Swan Lake Park
FOSLP continues to press Markham to improve the habitat within the park area and to install a new viewing deck area on the Williamson Street side of the lake.
Restoring Swan Lake is a much bigger and more expensive undertaking. The current water quality program does not address all the issues and FOSLP is asking Markham Council to initiate programs to improve oxygen levels in Swan Lake and to end Swan Lake’s stormwater role.
Stewardship
Swan Lake is a unique structure that does not fit under Markham’s existing policy framework. Though not a stormwater pond, it has been managed by the stormwater department as a stormwater pond over the years. It is essential that Markham adopt a more comprehensive water quality program that includes a proactive response once environmental conditions deteriorate.
One of the key steps to secure their future is to designate Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park as a significant component of Markham’s Natural Heritage Network Lands which will provide the same environmental protection as Milne Dam Conservation Park and Toogood Pond Park.