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 development.
The Greenway system is comprised of six categories of environmentally protected areas: 1) Greenbelt Plan lands; 2) Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan area lands; 3) Rouge Watershed Protection area; 4) Natural Heritage Network Lands; 5) Natural Heritage Network Enhancement Lands; and 6) Other Greenway Lands including certain naturalized stormwater management facilities.
Swan Lake Park is already recognized as an ecologically important area. Though Swan Lake is not a stormwater pond, Swan Lake Park is designated as a “Community Park” within the “Other Greenway Lands including certain naturalized stormwater management facilities”, a category used primarily for areas containing large stormwater ponds and areas which do not receive the same environmental review and focus as do Natural Heritage Network Lands.
In preparation for the next official plan, Markham has initiated a review of its Natural Heritage Network Lands. We believe Swan Lake Park should be recategorized and treated as a significant component of Markham’s Natural Heritage Network Lands comparable to Milne Park and Toogood Pond and be included in the current environmental review.
Elements of a Natural Heritage Network
Ontario has provided guidelines on the components of a Natural Heritage Network. The primary requirement is for an area to be ecologically sensitive. It is not necessary for a component of a Natural Heritage Network to contain a river, stream, or major water body. For example, Regional Forests and other significant woodland areas are included. In May 2021, Markham Council suggested staff consider including hydro fields as natural heritage resources.
Swan Lake is not directly connected to the Rouge River watershed, but it does contain a major water body. Swan Lake Park satisfies many of the criteria in the Ontario guidelines that are to be considered in designating an area a component of a Natural Heritage Network, making Swan Lake Park an excellent candidate for inclusion in Markham’s Natural Heritage Network.
| Size of Park | Size of Water Body | Bird Species | Established | |
| Milne Dam Conservation Park |
123 ha |
21.0 ha | 161 |
1825 |
| Swan Lake Park |
45 ha |
5.4 ha | 155 |
1850 |
| Toogood Pond Park |
33 ha |
3.5 ha | 122 |
1840 |
Markham has already determined that Swan Lake is a major local groundwater recharge area while Swan Lake Park is well documented as one of the leading wildlife habitats in Markham.
Swan Lake Park is a significant ecological area within Markham, and it should be provided the same environmental stewardship as Milne Park and Toogood Pond by being designated as a critical component in Markham’s Natural Heritage Network.
Under sections 3.1.2.11 and 3.1.2.12 of Markham’s 2014 Official Plan, Markham Council has the authority to refine the boundaries of the Natural Heritage Network Lands pending an environmental review.
In June 2022, FOSLP submitted a report to Markham Council, recommending that Markham undertake an assessment on the feasibility of designating Swan Lake Park as part of Markham’s Natural Heritage Network and, if approved, that Swan Lake Park be included in Phase 2 of the Natural Heritage Management Study.