Riverside boat launch park
About this project:
The City of London is coordinating park improvements to Riverside Boat Launch Park, located at 520 Riverside Drive, on the main branch of the Antler river (Thames river) as part of the Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund.
This project will provide Londoners with a more vibrant and welcoming riverfront park with accessible amenities for paddling, gathering and enjoying the view. Implementation of this project is identified in the Paddling Plan and the One River Environmental Assessment to protect and enhance the river corridor by providing safe and sustainable paddling access. These amenities will also support the solemn practice of scattering funeral ashes. Please note that people who wish to scatter funeral ashes are not required to use this location, as ashes may be scattered without permission from the City in all parks and waterways.
Description of the work
The conceptual park design in Riverside Boat Launch Park includes:
- Enhancing the accessibility of the existing ramp for paddlers and others
- New hard surface pathways and river lookouts
- Shade structure, site furnishings, a canoe rack and gathering spaces
- Interactive Park elements with a river theme
- Parking lot with accessible spaces and new park signage
- New amenities will also support the solemn practice of scattering funeral ashes
- Continued emergency access to the river for Police and Fire
- Native tree planting and ecological protection and restoration
Riverside Boat Launch Park concept plan (Please note this is a concept and the final design may vary)
Public feedback
This project is one of 23 Neighbourhood Park Improvement Fund (NPIF) projects posted on the NPIF Get Involved page with ongoing opportunities for comments and input since the fall of 2024
- A sign about this NPIF project was also posted in Riverside Boat Launch Park in the spring of 2025 with a QR code linking to NPIF Get Involved site with more information and opportunities for community input.
- Links to this NPIF project were added to the City's Scattering Funeral Ashes information webpage in the spring of 2025 with a description of this aspect of the project and opportunities for feedback.
- Initial engagement with residents and First Nation communities occurred through the One River Environmental Assessment and River Management Plan process, and a First Nations Engagement Plan was prepared and implemented to facilitate meaningful engagement and discussion with First Nations.
- The City is still inviting feedback noting the final design may vary through the detailed design process. Please provide any comments on the concept design posted on this page by October 24, 2025.
Accessibilty
Proposed pathways are considered a ‘Recreational Trail’ under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, and would meet all technical requirements for accessibility including minimum width, maximum slope, and head clearance space. As part of this project, the City of London is inviting feedback from residents with various disabilities on their specific needs regarding recreational trails and outdoor play spaces.
If you need information in an alternate format, or require the assistance of a communication support, or would just like more information, please contact Linda McDougall at the City of London’s Parks Design and Construction Section by phone at (519) 661-CITY (2489) ext. 6494, or by email at lmcdouga@london.ca.
Background:
This project is part of implementing the Paddling Plan and One River Environmental Assessment which includes enhancing amenities, signage, mapping, invasive species management and increasing awareness to help protect and improve the ecosystem health of the river corridor. First Nations communities were consulted through the One River Environmental Assessment and River management Plan process and a First Nations Engagement Plan was prepared and implemented to facilitate meaningful engagement and discussion with First Nations.
Aerial photo of Riverside Boat Launch Park
