City Plans to Sell Small Piece of Belvedere Park

Estimated 6 minutes

For years, Tim Young thought his neighbor’s yard was just like his: a narrow strip, about 14 meters wide, facing Wortley Road and stretching west until it meets his backyard next to Belvedere Park.

Young lives at 83 Wortley Rd., while his neighbor, who chose not to comment for this story, resides just south at 85 Wortley Rd.

The backyards of the properties on Wortley Road that border the park are separated by fences running straight north-south. Some even have gates that lead directly into the park.

Two years ago, while setting up a pool in his yard, Young discovered that a small square area at the back of his neighbor’s yard actually belongs to Belvedere Park, even though their back fence lines up perfectly. This piece of land measures 14 by 12 meters-roughly the size of four parking spaces.

“A city employee came out and showed me a survey,” said Young, who has lived at 83 Wortley Rd. for about four years. “I pointed to the map he had and said, ‘Is that parkland? He said, ‘Yes.'”

A look at the city’s mapping site backs this up: A small square protruding from what should be the rectangular boundary of Belvedere Park stretches into what appears to be the backyard of 85 Wortley Rd.

Eager to learn more about this little section of parkland intruding into his neighbor’s property, Young submitted an access request for information from the city. Among the documents returned was a letter sent by the city on April 7, 2017, to the owner of 85 Wortley Rd.

This letter highlights a “major encroachment” into the park and instructs its owner to move their fence and landscaping “from adjacent public land.”

The letter also states that if they don’t correct this encroachment by May 1, 2017, then the city might take action to reclaim that part of parkland and charge those costs back to their tax bill. What happened next regarding those actions remains unclear.

Then last spring came a new approach from the city: They decided to put this tiny piece of parkland up for sale.

On March 24, 2025, a committee from city council approved a staff report suggesting declaring this section surplus and selling it off to whichever one of three neighboring property owners makes the highest bid-including Young at No. 83 and his neighbor at No. 85.

WATCH | Who will own this corner of Belvedere Park?:

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There’s a small part of Belvedere Park in south London, Ont., that one neighbour wants to buy; however, its future remains uncertain. CBC reporter Andrew Lupton has more on this story.

How did we end up with this ‘park pocket’?

The staff report details how this strange situation with Belvedere Park came about. Back in 1958, five property owners whose lots fronted onto Wortley were offered an opportunity to expand their properties by purchasing part of the park land behind them. All accepted except for whoever owned No. 85 at that time; today’s owner bought it in the late ’90s.

“This created the existing lot fabric with an irregular ‘corner’ at one edge,” states the staff report.

The report notes, however-that when fencing off that little piece belonging to them without permission or legal transfer happened-No. 85 joined in line with other yards.
“Since then,”it continues,“the park has seemed generally rectangular without users realizing part has been encroached upon.”

The city’s decision on selling off part of the park

You might wonder why they’re looking into selling off such small land now?

The recommendation within their staff report explains reclaiming that area isn’t preferred anymore due mainly because it’s too small “to serve any active uses” within Belvedere Park itself! It raises issues regarding safety sightlines as well as maintenance challenges down-the-line too!

This process isn’t fully outlined but according-to Young property owners would submit single sealed bids where highest bidder gets ownership once they’ve covered legal/survey fees incurred during transition period ahead!

Certain neighbors aren’t thrilled about any portion being transferred over privately though-and interestingly enough-the report mentions someone living-in unit #85 is already keen-on buying here now!

You see Young realizes owning new parcels could lead him towards having an L-shaped lawn instead which also blocks access away from other homes nearby-but he’s tentatively thinking along lines involving building laneway house right there sometime soon after all!

Status update on sale proceedings

This past October revealed written correspondence received indicated selling processes would begin “immediately.”

Younger feels ready enough step-up bidding rights should chances arise-doesn’t mind losing either way; actually prefers seeing work conducted taking care fixing problems associated already present there first-off anyway! Getting answers outta officials hasn’t been easy tho..

“I’d love staying put as nice green space or else auction progressing forward suits me fine under stated guidelines!” he mentioned further adding,, “They really oughta get show-on-the-road ASAP-not six months later!”

has reached out seeking clarification from authority figures regarding situation involved here presently too-and learned statement claiming no comments available came forth alongside announcement mentioning another discussion expected before council come June next month onward moving forward thereafter..

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