At a meeting on June 23, 2020, Markham Council approved the first steps towards a program for long term improvement of water quality in Swan Lake. In the spring of 2021, a chemical treatment to improve water quality levels is planned. City staff will be reporting back to Council by February 2021 on what treatment programs and related targets should be adopted for maintaining water quality levels over the long term.
The Friends of Swan Lake Park has set out three long term goals: 1) restoration of water quality; 2) restoration of aquatic and land based habitat and 3) a commitment by the city to a long term Stewardship Plan. The current Council discussions have only focused on water quality but there was recognition of the need to address the other environmental elements as well.
The success thus far is attributable to the enthusiastic engagement by the volunteers of the Friends of Swan Lake Park backed by broad community support. Since October 2019, the group of 15 volunteers has worked hard, meeting every 2 weeks, discussing issues, reviewing information, hosting a public event for over 180 and organizing fund raising – all leading up to this month’s meeting with Markham Council.
We thank all Council members for supporting this critical first step and in particular must acknowledge the leadership of Regional Councillor Jack Heath in his role as Chair of the General Committee and for the support provided by Mayor Scarpitti and Deputy Mayor Hamilton.
A special thank you goes to our local Ward 5 Councillor, Andrew Keyes, for his extraordinary support and guidance. Councillor Keyes has been asked by Council to co-ordinate the engagement of the Friends of Swan Lake Park with the ongoing work by city staff on developing a sustainable program for managing water quality in Swan Lake.
The Friends of Swan Lake Park hope to build upon the development of a sound water quality program and work with staff in addressing the broader issues of restoring the aquatic and land based habitat in the Park, secured by a sound Stewardship Policy for Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park.
Great progress has been made towards the restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park largely due to the resounding community support. Thank you for your support!