City of London: Ward 13 June 2026 Newsletter

Hello Ward 13

June has arrived, and with it comes the start of a busy summer season across our city. Longer days, warmer evenings, and more community events give us a chance to get outside, reconnect with neighbours, and enjoy the public spaces that make London feel like home.

This month, there is a lot happening in and around Ward 13. Sunfest is preparing to return to Victoria Park in July for its 32nd edition this summer, continuing a tradition that has helped shape London’s cultural identity for more than three decades. Labatt Park tours are also back for the season, giving residents a chance to explore one of the most historic baseball parks in the world. Storybook Gardens has opened for another season as well, offering affordable family fun in one of London’s most beloved destinations.

June is also a month of reflection and remembrance. The City has installed five purple benches in partnership with the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia to honour Our London Family and the four lives taken in the Islamophobic attack of June 6, 2021. One of those benches is located at the south end of Victoria Park. These benches are meant to invite people to sit, listen, connect, and continue the work of standing against hate in all its forms.

There are also important civic issues before us this month. A request to repeal the heritage designation for Beth Emmanuel British Methodist Episcopal Church at 430 Grey Street is scheduled to be considered by the Community Advisory Committee on Planning on June 18. This is a deeply significant heritage site in London’s Black history and in the story of those who came here seeking freedom, community, and a new beginning. I encourage residents to follow this matter closely and consider submitting comments to the committee.

The finalized Downtown Plan is also expected to come before Council this month. This will be an important moment for the future of London’s core, setting out the actions, priorities, and implementation tools needed to guide downtown over the next decade and beyond. A strong downtown matters to the entire city, and this plan should help provide clearer coordination, stronger accountability, better use of public spaces, and a more focused path forward for investment, activity, safety, culture, housing, and economic renewal.

This month’s newsletter also includes updates on the Pollution Prevention Control Plan, the return of summer programming, green building, and even the winning names from London’s street sweeper naming contest.

As always, thank you for staying informed, raising issues, and remaining engaged in the life of our city. Ward 13 is strongest when residents continue to care, participate, and help shape the future of the neighbourhoods we call home.

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.

Ward13 May Recap

Sunfest Launch Party

I had a great time kicking off the countdown to Sunfest ‘26 at the London Brewing Co-Op last month!

As an important part of the beating heart of the city’s culture and rhythm, Sunfest has brought diverse artists and groups to showcase what our city has to offer for over three decades. This annual festival is an excellent example of what being a UNESCO designation really means.

Thank you to Alfredo and Mercedes, and the rest of the Sunfest board, for making another great year possible. Through your tireless efforts, we now have an International Presenters Network that brings in new local and regional artists every year.

Be sure to check out Sunfest, returning to Victoria Park for its 32nd edition this summer, from Thursday, July 9th, through Sunday, July 12th.

Heritage Building at Risk!

A very significant heritage building in our city is at risk. The Community Advisory Committee on Planning (CACP) is scheduled to be consulted on a request to have the heritage designation for 430 Grey Street (Beth Emmanuel British Methodist Episcopal Church) repealed at the meeting on June 18, 2026.

The community of Beth Emmanuel British Methodist Episcopal Church is asking for your support in saving this significant heritage site. The church was a sanctuary for those fleeing the horrors of slavery, a place where they could find solace, community, and a new beginning. It holds countless stories of courage and perseverance, memories that are interwoven into the very fabric of our society. It is a part of our identity.

I encourage all residents of Ward 13 to submit a letter to the agenda for the CACP meeting on June 18 in support of the community’s request to reject this repeal request.

You can also show further support by signing their petition here: https://www.change.org/FightForBethEmanuel

Storybook Gardens is Open

Storybook Gardens, located at 1958 Storybook Lane (just inside Springbank Park), is now open for another season of adventure and wonder.

Londoners of all ages are invited back to one of the city’s beloved destinations, where imagination leads the way and every visit brings something new to discover. From themed playgrounds and climbers to the splash pad and play village, Storybook Gardens offers a full season of affordable family fun close to home!

Londoners of all ages are invited. From themed playgrounds and climbers to the splash pad and play village, Storybook Gardens offers a full season of affordable family fun close to home.

Throughout the summer, Londoners can also look forward to special programming on the Village Square Stage, including live musical performances, clowns, puppet shows, sing-a-longs, storytelling, and more.

Parking is free. Check out Storybook Gardens today!

Learn more: london.ca/StorybookGardens

Environmental Study Report Available

An Environmental Study Report (ESR), undertaken to update the Pollution Prevention Control Plan (PPCP), has been completed and is available for public review until June 12. The primary objective of the PPCP is to develop a long-term solution to reduce the volume and frequency of untreated wastewater discharges to the Thames River and its receiving streams.

You are invited to review the PPCP Update Study Report and provide the Project Team with any feedback and comments. Your input is important to the Class EA process. The ESR will be available on the City’s webpage, at City Hall (City Clerk’s Office 3rd Floor), and at the London Public Library (Pond Mills Branch – 1166 Commissioners Rd E) during regular hours of operation.

Specific inquiries can be directed to the Consultant or City contact indicated in the notice that was circulated to agencies, Interested parties, First Nations communities, residents, businesses, and property owners within the study area.

Learn more: london.ca/PPCP

Welcome to Crones Cave!

Sending a downtown welcome to The Crones Cave Metaphysical Shop at 232 Dundas Street.

Located in the heart of downtown London, this new shop is more than just a metaphysical store, it is a welcoming community space built for the curious, the creative, the spiritual, and the everyday seeker. Founded on the belief that everyone deserves a place to explore their path without judgment, the shop offers both handcrafted spiritual and witchcraft supplies, as well as a dedicated space to build community.

With one-of-a-kind creations from talented local artisans and vendors, and a dedicated safe space where people can enjoy workshops, classes, seasonal celebrations, lending libraries, vendor collaborations, and community-focused events, The Crones Cave team strives to make spirituality, creativity, and personal growth accessible to everyone.

Learn more: https://www.cronescavemetaphysical.ca/

Purple Benches for London’s Family

In partnership with the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI), the City has installed five purple benches in commemoration of the June 6, 2021, attack.

The sites, which are spread across different sections of the city, were chosen from a park’s design perspective and are located in busy parks that offer various recreational uses to appeal to a broad segment of the population. This will include one purple bench at the south end of Victoria Park.

Designed to encourage people to sit, engage and dialogue across communities and cultures, each bench will be accompanied by signage explaining its purpose with wording that reads:

“This purple bench honours the memory of the four members of Our London Family who were killed in an Islamophobic attack on June 6, 2021. Purple, the favourite colour of Yumnah Afzaal, has come to symbolize remembrance and a collective commitment to standing against Islamophobia and all forms of hate. The bench invites people to sit, listen, and connect across cultures and communities.

Labatt Park Tours Return

Guided walking tours of Labatt Memorial Park have returned for the 2026 season.

Don’t miss your chance to walk the same field as some of baseball’s most legendary players including Ty Cobb, Satchel Paige, Fergie Jenkins and more. Hear never been told stories from over the years, culminating with artifacts on display inside the original 1937 Roy McKay Clubhouse, carefully curated from extensive research into the park’s 149-year history.

Tours are offered Wednesday through Sundays until September 6. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and children aged 6-12, and children under 6 are free. For groups of ten or more, group tours are available upon request. All tours must be booked 24 hours in advance.

To learn more visit www.labattparktours.com

House of Hope Shut Down

The House of Hope is a highly supportive housing program created to support individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, significant health and mental health challenges, high use of the emergency systems, and profound vulnerability.

Built through collaboration among London Cares, London Health Sciences Centre, the City of London, resident contributions, and community partners, the House of Hope has clearly demonstrated that highly supportive housing for people with the highest needs truly works.

97% of residents stayed in their units each night
94 % of residents accessed community services
73 % of residents remained housed at House of Hope
65% of residents reconnected with family during occupancy
63% of residents reported improved physical health
52% of residents accessed substance use treatment
49 % of occupants had been unhoused for 7 years or more before residency
39% of residents reported improved mental health

Despite these clear measures of success, and many more, the province has refused to provide ongoing funding. Thus, House of Hope will be forced to close at the end of November 2026. This closure affects 45 residents and 24 staff.

I am grateful to see that we have MPP Peggy Sattler and MPP Terence Kernegan already sounding the alarm at Queens Park this past week to raise awareness about the serious harm that this shutdown will cause our community. The city did a lot of work to bring together all the required parties to develop the House of Hope, but we simply don’t have the funding or tools to continue to support it alone in a consistent capacity. We need the help of the province to support ongoing operational funding.

House of Hope worked and proved what is possible. We remain hopeful that our community can continue building on what worked and continue pursuing solutions for vulnerable Londoners.

Learn more: https://londoncares.ca/house-of-hope-worked/

Green Building Day

Built Green Canada recognizes the first Wednesday of June as National Green Building Day.

The green building community is a network producing smarter, more responsible and healthier homes for the environment and for the homeowner. Sustainable building includes energy improvements, materials and methods, indoor air quality, water conservation, waste management, occupant health, and more. It’s aimed at meeting our needs without harming future generations by minimizing negative impacts on the environment throughout a building’s life cycle, including carbon emissions.

Builders producing these homes are leaders offering healthier homes, increased durability, and lower environmental impact—plus they’re affordable with reduced operating costs, rebate eligibility, improved resale value, and more.

Together, let’s celebrate the meaningful efforts of sustainable builders and all those who support them!

City Sweeper Name Revealed

The winning names from the City’s “Name a Sweeper” contest have been revealed!

After weeks of community submissions and voting through social media polls, Londoners officially named two of the City’s hardest-working street sweepers ‘Kevin’ and ‘Beeper the Sweeper’. The winning names were unveiled live at the Touch-A-Truck event last month.

The names ‘Kevin’ and ‘Beeper the Sweeper’ are displayed on the street sweepers with custom decals, giving residents a chance to spot them out in the community.