By David Yin, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Friends of Swan Lake Park (FOSLP) and the City of Markham held a subcommittee meeting on June 18 to review the city’s initiatives to preserve Swan Lake Park.
The FOSLP requested two main items for the meeting: To confirm whether the city is considering recategorizing Swan Lake Park as a Natural Heritage Network site, and to clarify what the park needs to qualify for a city-wide special purpose park status.
The Natural Heritage Network is a subcategory of Markham’s Greenway System that aims to identify and protect Markham’s key natural features. Examples include wetlands, woodlands, and valleys. The city uses the Natural Heritage Network to determine how lands are planned out, assessed, and developed.
The city has categorized Swan Lake Park as “Other” under the Greenway System since 2014. In 2022, city staff said they would consider reassessing Swan Lake Park’s Greenway status in the then-future Official Plan Review, which later began in 2025.
The City of Markham defines Destination Parks as large and unique parks intended to attract visitors and serve people’s interests beyond municipal borders, according to the 2014 Official Plan.
During the meeting, the city said Swan Lake Park does not fit the criteria for Community Park status, despite being listed as one in the 2014 Official Plan. Based on Chapter 4 of the Official Plan, Community Parks are the second highest subcategory of City Parks, which is a separate category from Destination Parks.
Robert Muir and Zahra Parhizgari from the City of Markham’s Environmental Services department presented the Swan Lake Water Quality Monitoring 2024 Annual Report. The report outlined how much the park has changed since the city implemented the Swan Lake Park Long-Term Management Plan in 2021.
They concluded the city has met all targets of Phase 1, which the city expected to complete in 2025. The city planned to start Phase 2 in 2026, with Phase 3 to begin later in 2031.
Total phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations in the lake averaged below eutrophic thresholds throughout 2024. In addition, dissolved oxygen levels remained above guideline thresholds throughout the same year.
Eutrophication is when nutrients – such as nitrogen and phosphorus – become so numerous that they spur rapid algae and plant growth, suffocating fish and other underwater animals in the process. Lower eutrophication levels indicate healthier freshwater ecosystems.
The increase in water quality occurred along with lowered algae and cyanobacteria concentrations, two microbes that grow excessively from eutrophication. Cyanobacteria cell counts were 40 per cent lower in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, chlorophyll-a concentrations – the main photosynthetic pigment in algae and cyanobacteria – averaged below the eutrophic threshold in 2024.
Chloride levels – usually run-off from de-icing materials – were also below target levels in 2024. The department concluded that chloride levels were not inhibiting aquatic life, due to the large minnow population in the lake.
The department also summarized the results of AECOM’s Swan Lake Flow Diversion Assessment. Currently, Swan Lake lacks stream inflows and outflows to refresh its stagnant body of water.
AECOM’s researchers assessed several options to divert the lake’s stormwater runoff. They recommended against pursuing even their best option, since water quality levels are already in good standing.
The City of Markham may consider re-evaluating the lake’s flow diversion options in Phase 3 of its long-term plan.
Birder and wildlife photographer Kathleen Elizabeth Noël presented against building anti-goose fencing around the lake. According to her, the fence would harm the habitats, feeding areas, and nesting sites of many turtle and water bird species.
Some species – such as the least bittern and the midland painted turtle – are federally protected under the Species at Risk Act.
Noël proposed shrubs and tall grasses as eco-friendlier alternatives to fencing. She also presented her petition with 50 signatures to cancel anti-goose fencing.
City staff said they will share Noël’s concerns with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority before they proceed with fencing-related decisions.
Local resident John Sandilands also presented his concerns that adding too many amenities to Swan Lake Park would harm its environment. He questioned several proposals, such as a new boardwalk, a waterfall, and increased parking space.
The City of Markham received the FOSLP’s Greenway Classification outline, biodiversity report, and copies of four community surveys.
The FOSLP will reconvene on July 7 to discuss what to submit for an upcoming water quality review by Nov. 30.
For more information about Swan Lake Park, visit friendsofswanlakepark.ca.
Photo: A view of Swan Lake Park, taken at sunset. (David Yin photo)