Thames Park Improvements

The City of London will begin formal engagement with Thames Park user groups and other key audiences on the future of the park in Spring 2024. In advance of formal engagement, we are now accepting feedback on the new amenity the community would like to see at the park, as well as the preferred location and design for a new spray pad in the area. Find all the details below and share your feedback today!

About Thames Park

Thames Park, located at 15 Ridout Street South, is used by Londoners for various forms of recreation activities, including tennis, play, gardening, cycling, and walking, to name a few.

The park currently has four lit tennis courts, one playground, one swing set, paved pathways, the Thames Valley Parkway, and lit parking. The tennis courts are currently closed while the City completes work on the Victoria Bridge project, but once reopened, these courts will be replaced and upgraded.

At its meeting on July 25, 2023, London City Council voted in favour of a motion instructing City of London staff to permanently close Thames Pool. In addition, the motion asked City of London staff to:

• install new amenities like pickle ball courts and basketball courts in Thames Park;
• review installing a splash pad in Thames Park or Wortley on the Village Green;
• launch a feasibility study for building an indoor pool in the general area.

The items listed above must not exceed a combined budget of $1.92 million, consistent with the lowest cost to temporarily repair Thames Pool, as outlined in the staff report from July 18, 2023.

New Amenities at Thames Park

As part of Council’s resolution, City of London staff have been directed to engage with Thames Park users on the types of amenities they would like added to Thames Park.

Examples of amenities that may be added at Thames Park include improved pathways, an improved playground, storm water management, pickleball courts, a community events space, naturalizaiton improvements, sports field improvements, improvements for pollinators, and basketball courts, to name a few.

New Splash Pad Installation

As part of Council’s resolution, City of London staff have been directed to undertake a review of the feasibility for a new spray pad installation at Thames Park or Wortley on the Village Green, engaging with Thames Park users on the preferred location and design of the spray pad.

Wortley on the Village Green may be feasible for a new spray pad but has some constraints because it is protected by a Provincial Heritage Conservation Easement Agreement (HCEA), and the City cannot construct new features on this site without seeking approval from the Province of Ontario. In addition, any new infrastructure or amenities must protect and maintain the open character of the Green and be consistent with historical use.

Share Your Feedback

NEW for April 2024: Share your feedback about opportunities and challenges currently in Thames Park in the form below.