Parks in London Ontario
Victoria Park
Springbank Park
Victoria Park
Victoria Park was created in 1874 as a British military base and cricket ground stretching across 7.3 hectares. Today, it is one of London’s major community event hubs. It has a bandstand, a skate park, a skating rink, and a number of monuments. If you’re visiting during the Christmas season, the lighting of the Christmas lights is a must-see.
It’s also a nice place to take a stroll and relax while looking for the melanistic (black) Eastern Gray Squirrels. Victoria Park has beautiful concrete walking paths that are great for strollers and bikes. The park is also adjacent to Richmond Row, which includes lovely stores, fantastic restaurants, and fantastic lounges/bars.
Sunfest
Sunfest is a great option if you can schedule your visit to coincide with one of the various festivals. Sunfest is an annual Canadian event of food, culture, art, and music that takes place in London throughout the year. It is Canada’s second-largest world music festival, held every July in Victoria Park. Since Victoria Park has wonderful concrete sidewalks and pathways, it makes it the perfect place to hold large events like Sunfest. Aside from live music, there is also excellent food from all around the world.
Springbank Park & Storybook Gardens
Springbank Park, which spans 350 acres along the Thames River, is London’s largest park. There are 30 kilometres of tree-lined concrete paths for riding, hiking, rollerblading, jogging, or walking. Since the paths are concrete, they are smooth and perfect for wheeled activities. Many species, including geese, American goldfinch, blue jays, cardinals, cedar waxwings, and chickadees, can be spotted along the Thames River’s beaches, so bring your binoculars and camera.
There’s also a playground, swings, a wading pool, picnic spots, and soccer fields, as well as Storybook Garden, a popular family destination with its wonderful fairytale setting built around storybooks, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes.
Gibbons Park
Gibbons Park is surrounded by the Bishop Hellmuth Heritage District, University Heights, and Western University. Locals rave about this park, located just north of downtown, as the ideal spot to bring the kids on a beautiful afternoon.
There are three tennis courts, an outdoor pool, a spray pad, play structures, paths, restrooms, and picnic spaces in the park. Concrete slabs are used to create smooth walking trails and play structures throughout Gibbons Park. The location includes numerous sitting places, making it great for bringing the family for a day of fun at a low cost.
The North Thames River flows to the park’s south-west, offering a rural sense in the heart of London. Furthermore, throughout the summer, the open space is a perfect place to throw a football or kick a soccer ball about.