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Hello <<First Name>>
April brings a lot happening across our city, and some exciting things both locally and historically.
I first want to take a moment to recognize a historic moment for London and for Canada. Jeremy Hansen, born here in London, is set to take part in the Artemis II mission. This will be the first time humans travel back around the Moon in over 50 years and marks a major step toward humanity once again walking on the lunar surface.
I will say personally, this is something I have been waiting for my entire life. I have followed these moon missions and the return to deep space closely for years, and it is genuinely exciting to see this moment finally here. There are certain moments that remind us how big the world is, and how far people can go through discipline, courage, and ambition. To watch a London-born Canadian be part of this historic journey makes it all the more meaningful. This is Canada’s moment, and this is London’s moment. It is a proud moment for our country and a proud moment for our city. Our city will be watching and rooting for him on this journey. Let’s wish Jeremy luck.
There are also a number of important updates this month. EarthFest London takes place April 25 at Citi Plaza and Central Library and is a great local event for families and residents looking to celebrate Earth Day. The Clean & Green campaign runs from April 7 to 18 and is another good opportunity for neighbours and community groups to help keep our city looking its best. The seasonal overnight parking ban has now been lifted. Major construction continues on York Street and as part of the Wellington Gateway project, so please plan ahead when travelling through those areas. The Whole of Community System Response has also launched its second phase of the public dashboard with updates on homelessness response efforts and housing initiatives.
I also want to invite residents to a Ward Wide Town Hall on April 30, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Central Library, Lawson Room, 251 Dundas St. I hope you can join us. It will be a good chance to connect, ask questions, and talk about the issues that matter in our community.
As always, if you have questions, concerns, or need assistance, please reach do not hesitate to reach out.
David Ferreira
Councillor Ward 13, London Ontario
519-661-2489 ext. 4013 | dferreira@london.ca
For more information on newsletters, ward meetings, current city initiatives, and other resources, please visit my website at www.davidferreira.ca.
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Ward13 March Recap
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Looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day?
Earthfest London is hosting a free festival in Citi Plaza and the Central Library on Saturday April 25th from 11:00AM – 4:00PM.
There will be lots of family fun! Ride your bikes (free bike valet parking) and marvel as Citi Plaza is transformed into an extravaganza of 80+ vendors, exhibitors and activities all dedicated to improving the environment. Kids will love meeting the wildlife ambassadors from Salthaven, be amazed by Miss T the Bubble Queen demonstrating the science and art of the beautiful bubble, and engage in activities with the Children’s Museum, Growing Chefs!, and Let’s Talk Science .
Learn more: www.earthfestlondon.ca
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York Street will be closed between Wellington Street and Colborne Street until approximately the fall of 2026, as construction resumes on the York Street and Wellington Infrastructure Renewal project.
The Colborne and York intersection will remain open during this time for north and south traffic, and access to local businesses and parking will be maintained.
Sidewalk closures and restrictions will be in place during construction. Safe, accessible pedestrian paths will be provided on at least one side of the road wherever possible.
The York and Colborne intersection will be fully closed starting in July 2026 and is expected to last until approximately September 2026.
Additional work between Clarence Street and Wellington Street will also take place in 2026 but will only require temporary lane restrictions.
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Overnight Parking Ban Lifted
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Seasonal overnight parking restrictions have come to an end.
From April 1 to November 14, residents and visitors can park on City streets overnight without a pass.
Vehicles may be parked on City streets for up to 18 hours at a time. This applies to personal vehicles only. Commercial motor vehicles, trailers and mobile homes remain subject to their own parking regulations.
Londoners are reminded that all other parking regulations remain in place. This includes parking where otherwise prohibited or restricted, such as near fire hydrants, on boulevards or front lawns, or on streets where signage indicates parking is not permitted.
Drivers should always check posted signage before parking to ensure they are following local regulations
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The 2026 Clean & Green campaign will run starting next week, from Tuesday, April 7 to Saturday, April 18.
London Clean & Green is a community campaign that has been promoting litter prevention and encouraging community clean-ups around Earth Day in London for over 30 years! Throughout the 12 Days of Cleaning, we are offering garbage bags, disposable gloves, and sharps containers to community planned clean-ups while supplies last.
London Clean & Green will consist of:
- Tuesday, April 7, at 11 a.m. Launch Event: we are hosting a media launch event at Toboggan (585 Richmond Street) to kick start the beginning of the campaign, in collaboration with our campaign partners. Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis will be speaking at this event, along with City staff and community partners. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to media@london.ca.
- Tuesday, April 7 to Saturday, April 18: 12 Days of Cleaning, daily tips and challenges will be promoted on social media on how the community can clean and green
- Friday, April 17th: 20-Minute Makeover for sites throughout London, many of whom you can see registered on our website
- Saturday, April 18th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m: City-wide Community Clean-up as the conclusion to the campaign, also registered on the website
Information about all of these events is available at LondonCleanGreen.ca
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Whole of Community Response Dashboard
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The Whole of Community System Response (WoCSR) has launched a new public dashboard that provides monthly updates related to WoCSR-led projects and priorities.
The dashboard brings together key indicators from WoCSR-funded Hubs and Highly Supportive Housing to track outcomes and support planning and decision-making. It also includes monthly updates from the WoCSR, summarizing key activities, progress, and areas of collaboration across the response. These updates offer context for the data and highlight emerging trends, challenges, and accomplishments.
The dashboard complements, but does not replace, more detailed outcomes, analysis, and findings shared through the annual WoCSR Research and Evaluation Report. The second iteration of this report is currently under development by the Centre for Research on Health Equity and Social Inclusion (CRHESI) at Western University and will be published later this year.
This dashboard is designed to adapt and evolve over time. As new insights emerge, metrics and features will be refined. The purpose is not only to show current trends, but to evolve alongside the WoCSR.
You can access the dashboard from the following web page: https://london.ca/HomelessnessDashboards
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Celebrate the season with these egg-citing family friendly events:
Storybook Gardens Spring Egg Hunt: Features egg searches for different age groups (including toddlers). Open from Friday, April 3 to Monday, April 6.
German Canadian Club Easter Egg Hunt: Featuring a hunt, crafts, and coffee. Held on Saturday, April 4, from 2:00PM to 3:00PM.
Kustermans Easter Festival: Featuring an egg hunt, the Easter bunny, and tons of Adventure Farm fun! Open from Friday, April 3 until Sunday April 5.
Apple Land Station Easter Egg Hunt: Featuring a train ride through the orchard to collect eggs, a treat bag, and farm fun. Open Friday, April 3, and Saturday April 4, with timed slots.
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Wellington Gateway Phase 2 Construction
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Phase 2 of the final stage of the Wellington Gateway project began in March, with full construction of Phase 2A scheduled to begin in early April.
Phase 2 will be built in two parts, beginning with Phase 2A, which covers Wellington Road from Wilkins Street to Base Line Road East. Phase 2B, from Watson Street to Base Line Road East, is planned to start later in 2026.
To prepare for construction, lane restrictions will be in place at the Commissioners and Wellington intersection, and the Waterman and Wellington intersection to allow for the installation of temporary traffic signals.
Phase 2 will bring several important improvements to the corridor. A new concrete centre median will be installed to enhance safety and traffic flow. Dedicated rapid transit lanes will run in the centre of the road. New rapid transit stops will be added at Bond Street, Baseline Road East, and Commissioners Road East.
Construction is expected to continue from 2026 through 2028.
People travelling through the area are advised to drive with caution, allow extra time, and plan ahead using a navigation app.
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Golf Courses Officially Open
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The City of London has announced the opening of its two golf courses for the 2026 season, weather permitting.
The Thames Valley Golf Course offers an 18-hole course along the Thames River, featuring picturesque elevation changes and tree-lined fairways. Additionally, the 9-hole course provides a mix of par fours and threes with wider fairways, ideal for beginners, seniors, and families.
The Fanshawe Golf Course, located in northeast London overlooking Fanshawe Lake, boasts two distinct 18-hole layouts—the Traditional and Quarry courses, catering to golfers of all skill levels.
Tee times will be available to book online at london.ca/golf
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DowntownLondon 2025 Report
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Downtown London is built day by day by the people who choose to be here.
The 2025 Annual Report highlights a period of strong recovery and development, with over $646 million in construction activity. Key strategic focus areas include economic momentum, increased street-level vibrancy, supporting over 500 businesses, and enhancing downtown as an entertainment hub.
Check it out to learn more: DowntownLondon 2025 Report
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West London Dyke Reconstruction Project
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The City of London, in partnership with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), is rebuilding the West London Dyke between Cavendish Park and Kensington Bridge. The West London Dyke is a 2,300-meter-long flood protection structure along the Thames River. It helps prevent flooding and is also part of the City’s recreational pathway system.
The project is expected to span two years with construction scheduled for completion by Fall 2027, followed by restoration efforts concluding in Spring 2028.
There may be short traffic disruptions on Cavendish Crescent, however, there should not be any road closures. People and cyclists using the Thames Valley Parkway and gravel pathway entrance west of Cavendish Park can expect a detour and closure during construction. A detour will also be in place for the Thames Valley Parkway east of Wharncliffe Road Bridge to Mitchel A. Baran Park.
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Upcoming Events Downtown in April (Click on calendar for full screen view)
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