Yorkregion.com – Dec. 9, 2021
New Swan Lake sidewalks in Markham improve safety, accessibility
‘Very important improvement for our local community’
Markham Economist & Sun
Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Access to Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park for Amica and Swan Lake Village residents is now much safer and more accessible.
The Friends of Swan Lake Park, working in conjunction with Ward 5 Coun. Andrew Keyes and Markham city staff, completed sidewalk improvements at the Swan Lake Boulevard entrance to the park complex, located north of 16th Avenue and midway between Markham Road and 9th Line.
Previously, pedestrians, many with mobility issues, were required to travel through a busy traffic circle to enter the park.
During discussions with Markham council in 2020, the Friends of Swan Lake Park asked the city to address three areas that impacted accessibility and usability of the park.
In spring of 2021, staff quickly repaired the damaged asphalt pathway system within the park, but indicted that completion of the pathway around the lake and new sidewalks around the traffic circle on Swan Lake Boulevard would not be completed until possibly 2023.
But the Friends credit Keyes’ commitment, and persistence, for getting the two remaining projects completed in the fall of 2021.
“This is a very important improvement for our local community and The Friends of Swan Lake Park and area residents extend a thank you to Councillor Keyes and city staff,” said association member Martin Silver.
Heidi Riedner is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years experience with Torstar. She covers a wide range of issues in Markham, specializing in political, environmental and human interest stories.