Thornhill’s only storm water management pond, at Bayview Avenue and John Street, is set to be restored by the Town of Markham, but residents fear the situation will get worse before it gets better.
The pond, which is located behind Glynnwood Retirement Residence, has been a mark of natural beauty for the residents. But in recent years, it has fallen into disrepair, threatening to destroy the habitat of local wildlife, including a great blue heron.
“The water isn’t able to absorb like it used to,” said Cathy Metson, spokesperson for Glynnwood. “The heavy rains, debris and excess water and sediment have eroded the banks of the pond.”
Being the only storm water management pond in the Town of Markham is part of the problem, Coun. Valerie Burke said. According to Burke, residents wanted the pond restored years ago, but because there are so many players involved, the process was delayed.
“It’s more complicated. You’ve got Glynnwood, Shouldice Hospital, York Region and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) involved,” she said. “We could have done it this year, but it would have been financially irresponsible, the parking structure still needs to be evaluated to see if it can handle the equipment.”
Residents of Glynnwood, who have been waiting years for the town to take action, are skeptical that the plans will restore the pond.
“They’ve said they’re going to do it for years, and they intend to start next spring, and we hope they do. It’s going to get worse and noisy and dirty,” said Thelma “Tib” Green, who has lived in the retirement home for five years.
“We’re not allowed to walk around it any more. It’s not the same. It was certainly much nicer than it is now, with lots of wildlife around, lots of leaves and a blue heron,” she said. “The geese were smart enough to move to another pond.”
But Burke said TRCA only allows a small window in the summer for construction. Since her father is a resident of Glynnwood, she knows how important the pond is to residents.
“We’re going to dredge the pond and put gabion walls where it erodes more heavily,” she said. “It’ll improve the aesthetics and health of the pond, but it can’t happen overnight.” Construction is set to begin in July 2012.
