September 7, 2024
Swan Lake Park in Markham is a fun place to visit for a walk and spend time with nature. It is the second largest body of water in Markham and is constituted like the other two large lakes. The history of Swan Lake dates back to the 1850s, when the site was discovered to be a large gravel deposit dating back to the last ice age, approximately 12,000 years ago. Markham was founded around 1825 when a dam was built on the Red River to supply water to a mill located in the Milne Dam area. Around 1840, another dam was built, creating Toogood Pond near Unionville. We had already written about these two ponds and so it was time to visit Swan Lake.
When you enter the park from Swan Lake Boulevard, the first thing you will see is a canoe filled with plants. These canoe gardens have been installed across Ontario and are used to create space to plant shrubs and flowers that attract bees and other pollinators to the area. The first canoe garden was established in 2013 near Fort York, on the old Garrison Creek waterway. Since then, dozens have been placed in Toronto, Markham and Richmond Hill. The idea is to improve habitat for pollinators, whose populations have declined by more than 45% since the 1980s.
Swan Lake was used as a gravel pit from the 1850s to the 1970s, with the greatest amount of gravel removed in the 1960s and 1970s. Gravel is required for construction and as Markham and surrounding areas were developed for construction houses and roads, a good local source was necessary. It is not economically viable to truck gravel long distances, so it is usually mined close to where it will be used. When the gravel pit was closed, it was able to fill with water to become Swan Lake.
Swan Lake Park covers 45 hectares (111 acres) and offers numerous walking trails to explore. There is a main trail that goes all the way around the lake and many side trails, especially through the wooded areas.
Although it has been built up to the park boundaries and often encroaches on the ability to take natural-looking photos, there are still plenty of accommodations to take great photos.
The lake itself is 5.4 hectares (over 13 acres) and is slightly smaller than the 21 hectare (52 acres) lake in the Milne Dam Conservation Area. It is larger than Toogood Pond at 3.5 hectares (8.6 acres).
The lake is home to many turtles of which painted turtles and snapping turtles are natural while red-eared sliders are invasive. Red-eared sliders are sold as pets and then thrown into the lake by irresponsible owners.
The lake is naturally part of the local aquifer and it is estimated that 35% of all water entering the lake is used to maintain local groundwater levels. On this basis, Swan Lake is considered an important groundwater recharge area.
Swan Lake is subject to the presence of large quantities of algae, linked to excess phosphorus in the water. Canada Geese are one of the lake’s main sources of nitrogen and phosphorus. The numerous improvements made in recent years constitute an effort to manage goose populations. This includes modifying the banks to make them less attractive to geese as nesting areas. Lake bottom sediments also contribute to high phosphorus levels in the lake. In 2013, an application of Phoslok was carried out and the water improved, but only for a few years. A program is underway to monitor and treat the lake to prevent excessive algae blooms that can be toxic to pets and humans.
The north end of the park is wooded and has a small hill overlooking the lake. This is where you have the best chance of seeing some of the 12 species of mammals seen in the park. These include coyote, red fox, raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks. Mink and muskrats have been found at the lake. 155 species of birds have been spotted in the park, many of which are migratory. This makes the park an ideal place for bird watchers.
The Friends of Swan Lake Park have requested that the Town of Markham add the park to the Markham Natural Heritage Network. As an ecologically sensitive area, it is eligible even though it is not part of the Red River watershed. Whether you want to spend time in nature, exercise, or just walk your dog, Swan Lake is a great place to visit.
We definitely plan to return to Swan Lake in a few weeks when the trees change color as it is home to many tree species and will likely be very colorful. Our walk can be seen on the map below.
Related Stories: Milne Dam Conservation Area, Toogood Pond
Google Maps link: Swan Lake
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