Madeleine Nevins, Swan Lake resident addressed the Committee regarding her concerns with the condition of Swan Lake including the odour, people fishing in the lake, algae, and cyanobacteria. Ms. Nevins advocated for a remedy to return the water to its original blue colour, and restore Swan Lake Park and its ecosystem.
Martin Silver, Swan Lake resident addressed the Committee to express his concerns with the deteriorating condition of Swan Lake and suggested that treatments to the lake be applied more frequently to increase their effectiveness, improve the condition of the lake and potentially decrease the costs over time.
Cindy Fowler, Swan Lake resident addressed Committee Members and spoke about the beauty of Swan Lake Park including the water, sounds, and wildlife. Ms. Fowler expressed her enjoyment of the park and of others using it such as other residents, photographers and students from neighbouring colleges.
Rain Geiger, Swan Lake resident addressed the Committee regarding her appreciation of Swan Lake Park and her concerns with the current condition of the lake, the pathway, uneven curbs, surrounding thorny bushes, and spray from the fountain containing cyanobacteria. Ms. Geiger requested that the City complete a path from the small bridge to the round-a-bout, a sidewalk, and a pathway with asphalt ramps all around the lake that is accessible to everyone.
Andrew Fuyarchuk, Swan Lake resident addressed Members of the Committee with questions related to tree cutting, the discarding of cut branches into the lake in addition to bulldozing that removed foliage causing soil erosion, resulting in soil run off into the lake after a rainfall.
Carly Carrigan, Swan Lake resident addressed the Committee and spoke about her appreciation of the maintenance work undertaken by the City to keep it beautiful and expressed her concerns with the water quality of Swan Lake. Ms. Carrigan requested that the City maintain the ecosystem of the lake, in addition to the installation of benches and a play area to further enhance the beauty of the Swan Lake community.
Fred Peters, representative of Friends of Swan Lake Park, addressed the Committee and delivered a presentation entitled, Friends of Swan Lake Park, We Want To Go Back To The Future, that provided an overview of the issues surrounding Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park. Mr. Peters expressed concerns with the current conditions and indicated support for a restoration policy, more frequent chemical treatments to the water, and an investment into phosphorus and oxygen enhancement together with a goose relocation program on behalf of the group. He requested that the City take on a restore and sustain approach in the restoration of Swan Lake and Swan Lake Park.
Gord Landon, Swan Lake resident addressed the Committee to state his appreciation and daily use of the park and the surrounding trails for his regimented physical activity. Mr. Landon voiced his concerns relating to the odour of Swan Lake, the maintenance issues surrounding the park and the paths resulting from the increased goose population and suggested increased conservancy to uphold the attraction of the Swan Lake community.
The Committee thanked the speakers, Councillor Keyes, Deputy Mayor, Don Hamilton, and staff for their responsiveness and support to this community and the issues concerning the lake and the surrounding park.
Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community and Fire Services addressed the Committee, and thanked the Friends of Swan Lake Park, all the deputants and Councillor Keyes for their efforts and support to the Swan Lake community. Ms. Librecz indicated that today's presentation will focus on the water quality issues and the unique features of Swan Lake and introduced Rob Grech, Manager, Stormwater, who delivered a presentation entitled, Swan Lake Water Quality Improvement Program, which provided an overview of the level of service for the water quality in Swan Lake, City activities, the treatment strategy, and recommendations for next steps. Mr. Grech introduced Dr. Gertrud Nurnberg, a limnologist with Freshwater Research who has been working with the City on Swan Lake since 2013.
There was discussion relating to the concerns and the proposed recommendations of the program which included the following:
- Inquiry into making Swan Lake an open system;
- The chemical treatment options and the potential effects of different chemical additives;
- Concerns with the current frequency of water treatments;
- Consideration to investigate permanent natural solutions to improve and maintain the water quality;
- The cost implications to increase the frequency of water treatments;
- Consideration of the removal of bottom feeders (fish) and oxygenation of the lake to restore habitation;
- Inquiry into the sources of phosphorous in the lake and how the level of water quality is determined;
- The technical reference to Swan Lake as an Urban Lake;
- Potential results of the recommended treatment option on phosphorus levels;
- The difference between eutrophic versus mesotrophic with regard to odours, and depth visibility of the lake;
- Inquiry into potential approaches to maintain lower phosphorus levels at all times at Swan Lake;
- Inquiries related to the scope of the study used for the report, the initiation of a separate sediment study and the impact on the staff recommendation;
- Inquiry into reasons why a phoslock treatment is not being considered this year;
- Consideration to initiate a water treatment this year to address the odour of the lake, increase the frequency of treatments and improve the condition of the pathways;
- Concerns with stormwater management and the use of lawn fertilizers around the lake;
- Inquiry into the current and potential approach to managing geese at Swan Lake, including increased planting, drones, and strobe lights;
- Consideration into forming a sub-committee for working with the community and Friends of Swan Lake on the water quality;
- Consideration of using Swan Lake as a test area for geese population control;
- Continued promotion of Swan Lake to encourage its use for physical activity by area residents
Staff addressed the Committee to respond to the inquiries made and will report back to General Committee through the Markham Sub-Committee.