AMENITIES OF SWAN LAKE PARK
Swan Lake Park has recreational activities for all ages – from a splash pad and swings for kids to a series of pathways that lead to great viewing spots overlooking the lake. Recently opened pathways now make it possible to circumvent the entire Lake.
Today’s Amenities Compared to the Original Vision
The following table summarizes our assessment of the status today of the original recreational features and environmental elements in the original vision for Swan Lake Park as set out in the 1993 Environmental Management Study.
Resident’s perspective on the vision versus today’s reality
Availability of Recreational Amenities
Survey respondents provided positive responses on a range of recreational amenities in Swan Lake Park. 65% rated the availability of children’s play areas as either good or very good while another 26% rated it as acceptable. Similarly, 55% rated the availability of walkways as good or very good and another 30% rated the availability of walkways as acceptable.
29% rated the accessibility to the lake as acceptable while 48% felt accessibility was either poor or in need of improvement. Similarly, 29% felt the ability to view the lake as acceptable while 49% rated the viewing ability as either poor or in need of improvement.
The original vison for Swan Lake included canoeing and kayaking, ice skating and fishing as recreational activities on the lake. This has not materialized. 45% of survey respondents said they would like to see canoeing and kayaking on the lake while 54% would like to see ice skating. There was less support for sport fishing – 31% supported a return of sport fishing while 69% were opposed to sport fishing on the lake.
Shoreline Redesign Proposal
In April 2022, Markham staff outlined a proposed plan to redesign Swan Lake’s shoreline that will substantially improve Swan Lake Park and provide some important environmental benefits.
The design goals of the project, undertaken by staff from the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, includes reducing the appeal of the park area as a nesting habitat for geese, the removal of the invasive phragmites reeds and to open and improve accessibility to the lake for residents. Next stage is for Markham staff to develop a formal project plan and to obtain Council’s approval and funding for the 3–5 year project.
Eco Park Policy and Lake Enhancement Strategy
FOSLP has asked Markham to consider adoption an Eco Park Policy and a Lake Enhancement Strategy that would support greater human interaction with the lake.