City Council Rejects Backyard Encroachment Proposal

Residents in a north London neighborhood are running out of options as they try to keep their backyards that stretch onto city-owned land.

During Tuesday’s city council meeting, councillors voted 9-4 against part of a motion asking city staff to look into ways for Attawandaron Park neighbors to keep their gardens, sheds, and other backyard items that technically extend into the park area.

“It is not OK to basically see these public lands, especially parkland and especially environmentally significant areas, and potentially give them up to property owners,” said Coun. David Ferreira, who opposed the motion.

“These lands belong to the entire city. They should be enjoyed by the entire city,” he stated.

Coun. David Ferreira says allowing property owners to encroach onto the city-owned Attawandaron Park could set a concerning precedent. (Kendra Seguin/)

Attawandaron Park, located between Wonderland Road and Medway Creek, became part of the Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) in 2013. Like the 11 other ESAs in London, it is recognized as an important natural area requiring protection and is managed under a city Conservation Master Plan.

A number of homes along Attawandaron Road, as well as the Museum of Ontario Archeology, back onto this long strip of green space. Residents reported that last spring city staff measured property lines and placed markers cutting off more than half the length of some backyards.

In August last year, park neighbors united against city plans intended to “naturalize” the area which included planting native trees and shrubs, creating a paved path, and requiring residents to relinquish parts of their yards.

Councillors eventually voted against that plan at that time, leading staff to consider other options for managing the park since then.

One neighbor told in August 2025 that she has tended to her garden that backs onto Attawandaron Park for decades. (Jack Sutton/CBC)

A report presented at a city committee on April 14 outlined three options regarding resident encroachment on the park.

Option 1 was recommended by staff: enforcing an existing by-law prohibiting any encroachment onto municipally-owned land.

Option 2 would start a process enabling residents to buy portions of land they occupy. Option 3 would allow residents to enter into formal agreements with the city permitting encroachment under specific conditions.

Concerns About Precedent

During discussions at council meeting, councillors debated whether further exploration into options 2 and 3 should be requested from city staff.

Coun. Susan Stevenson supported this idea stating it would provide additional time before making a final decision.

Coun. Susan Stevenson says another staff report about options for Attawandaron Park could allow for more time to make the right decision. (Kendra Seguin/)

“We’re not doing anything drastic. We’re simply asking for more information back,” she mentioned.

Coun. Corrine Rahman also expressed her support for further investigation into these options after visiting the park regularly.

“There’s a lot of unanswered questions yet [park neighbors] feel like all they’ve been told is to comply. A report back actually buys us time to give people more information as we continue exploring conversations with this area,” she remarked.

However, Ferreira cautioned that even considering such reports might be problematic.

“I think this would set a precedent; it opens up discussion and removes our ability to enforce any types of encroachment in future,” he warned.

“We should signal right now that this isn’t something that we want the city looking into.”
Dozens of homes back onto Attawandaron Park along with Museum of Ontario Archaeology premises.(Jack Sutton/CBC)

Councillor Sam Trosow also voted against moving forward with any proposals citing concerns over how it might lead issues beyond just north London neighborhoods affecting others throughout cities too.

“A lot’s being watched here-not only those residing on Attawandaron Road.” He added,“we shouldn’t send signals indicating potential acceptance around unauthorized usage.”

Councillors Anna Hopkins, Peter Cuddy , Steven Hillier , Paul Van Meerbergen , Steve Lehman , Hadleigh Mc Alister & Skylar Franke also rejected suggestions made regarding proceeding forward. Conversely, Rahman &Stevenson alongside Counc. Jerry Pribl& Mayor Josh Morgan backed intentions put forth!

The council still passed other elements related specifically towards addressing matters within Attawandaron vicinity-including requesting updates fromstaff about tree/shrub protection measures plus evaluating strategies concerning overall maintenance required thereof!

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