Your new waste collection schedules will be delivered between late October and early November.
In the meantime, you can view your schedule online or pick it up at City facilities.
Commemorative programs
We are aware of the recent vandalism in Springbank Park and are actively working with affected residents to determine next steps. Residents who purchased a commemorative tree for Springbank Park will be offered the option to select an alternate park location or receive a full refund. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
The City’s commemorative program offers a meaningful way to honour the memory of a loved one, celebrate a special occasion, or recognize an accomplishment.
Your contribution creates a lasting tribute while enhancing public parks for the entire community. Contributions made through the commemorative program are eligible for a charitable receipt.
The City offers three types of commemorative features, including benches, trees, and Memory Wall.
| Program | Application status | Cost |
| Commemorative benches | open | $4500 |
| Commemorative trees | closed | $550 |
| Memory wall | closed | $1500 |
Latest program updates:
- To ensure we can reach you about your commemorative feature, please keep your contact details updated. If you have recently changed your mailing address, email, or phone number, please email memory@london.ca.
- You can find answers to common questions in our FAQs section at the end of this page.
- Due to current construction in Ivey Park and Mitchell A. Baran Park to reconstruct the sanitary sewer siphon at the forks of the Thames River, some commemorative trees have been removed in these areas. We are aware the commemorative plaques have remained for the time being. Please note we will be replacing the trees and re-installing the plaques once construction is completed.
Commemorative benches
A commemorative bench offers a place for peaceful reflection. The donation amount for the commemorative bench is $4500. The amount that you pay covers the costs of the bench, plaque, installation, maintenance, and repair for the estimated 10-year lifespan of the bench.
These benches are installed only in pre-approved locations.
Applications for Commemorative Benches are now open.
View bench locations and photos
Program details
- A maximum of 20 commemorative bench applications will be accepted by the City of London per year.
- The City will replace a commemorative bench if necessary, during its lifetime (10 years). If a commemorative plaque is vandalized or severely damaged, the City will provide one replacement plaque during the lifetime of the bench. Additional replacements will be at the donor's expense. Modifications to plaques are not permitted after installation, including adding names or changing the text. Only one plaque is allowed per concrete bench pad.
- Plaques will be ordered by the City once the proof is approved and the payment has been received.
- Once the payment is made, the bench becomes the property of the City of London. Placing flowers, wreaths or other memorial items on or near the bench is not permitted.
- The payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. Invoices will be sent out in early February.
- Benches are installed in the spring, weather permitting.
- If required, the City has the right to remove and relocate a commemorative bench. Every effort will be made to contact the contributor before this occurs. Please be sure to keep the City informed of any contact information changes.
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Commemorative trees
Help enhance our “Forest City” by purchasing a commemorative tree in one of our parks.
Applications are now closed. Applications will re-open on the first Monday of March 2027. It will remain open until May 31, or until we reach the capacity (20 applications).
Program details
- A maximum of 20 commemorative tree applications are accepted each year.
- The donation for a tree is $550 and it covers the cost, installation, and maintenance of the tree.
- If the tree dies within two years of the initial planting, it will be replaced under warranty. Replacements after five years will be an additional cost to the donor.
- Trees are native deciduous species (50mm caiper) selected by the City.
- Locations may be determined based on individual park needs and optimal growth conditions. Trees cannot be planted in Victoria Park, Ivey Park, Springbank Park, The Green in Wortley Village and environmentally significant areas (ESA's).
- Plaques cannot be installed at the time of installation or in the future by the City, donor, or a third party.
- The City will review location requests to ensure there are no conflicts with utilities, recreation or future park improvements. The City has the final decision on location.
- Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice. Invoices will be sent out shortly after the application closes.
- Installations occur in the fall, weather permitting.
- Placing flowers, wreaths or other memorial items near the trees is not permitted.
- If required, the City may remove or relocate a commemorative tree. Every effort will be made to contact the contributor beforehand.
Tree species options
London is located in the Carolinian Life Zone, one of the most diverse natural environments in Canada. To help support and enhance this environment, certain tree species are recommended for Commemorative Trees. These tree species are native to our region and have the best chance for survival while maintaining a healthy and diverse public park system and urban forest.
List of tree species
- Basswood/Linden (Tilia americana): A large tree than can grow up to 35 metres tall. Its leaves are large and heart-shaped with toothed edges. The fragrant yellow flowers and round greying-brown fruit hang from the centre of a leaf-like bract. When released, the bract acts like a helicopter wing and carries the seeds away in a breeze.
- Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera): A large, fast-growing tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall, with a thick trunk up to 160 centimetres in diameter. Its leaves are light green and turn yellow in the fall. This tree produces beautiful yellow-green flowers that bloom in the spring.
- Northern Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis): The largest native hackberry that can reach up to 15m tall. Its asymmetrical leave have long pointed tips that turn yellow in the fall. Single, reddish-purple fruits hang below the leaves and may persist into winter.
- Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana): This medium size tree can reach up to 12m tall and has alternating oval-shaped leaves with sharp teeth that turn a yellow-orange in the fall. Male flowers, called catkins, hang in early spring to release pollen.
- Downy Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea): This is a small tree with alternating oval-shaped leaves that turn a yellow-orange-red in the fall. Clusters of white flowers appear in the spring, and berries ripen early to mid-summer.
- Red Maple (Acer rubrum): A medium-sized oval tree that can grow up to 25 metres tall, with a trunk that’s 60 centimetres in diameter. Its green lobed leaves turn an outstanding red in the fall. Seeds of maples are contained in “keys” that float down from the tree’s branches.
- Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum): A large tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall, and can live for more than 200 years. The shape of its leaves are well known – it is found on the Canadian flag as the Sugar Maple is the national tree of Canada. In the fall, its leaves turn yellow, brilliant orange, or red.
- Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum): A large, fast-growing tree that can grow up to 35 metres tall with a trunk that’s more than 100 centimetres in diameter. The silver maple is similar to the red maple – except that its leaves turn pale yellow or brown, not red, in the fall.
- Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis): This medium size tree has sweet pea like, fuchsia-coloured flowers in early spring with green heart shaped leaves that turn an attractive yellow in the fall. This tree will reach 8 to 10 metres at full maturity and supports many types of wildlife with the flowers and seed pods it produces.
- Blue Beech (Carpinus caroliniana): The blue beech is a medium sized tree that has dark green leaves in the summer, and which turn yellow, orange, and red in the fall. This multi-stem tree grows to be 8 to10 metres tall at full maturity with a round to oval crown shape.
- Common Horsechestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum): This is a large tree reaching 18 to 20 metres tall at full maturity, with an upright oval shape. This tree displays large, upright clusters of showy white flowers in mid-spring and promotes wildlife such as hummingbirds.
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Memory wall
Located in Springbank Park’s Graham Arboretum, the memory wall features granite tablets with personalized engravings in a peaceful, natural setting. The wall is located off Arboretum Avenue, just south of Storybook Gardens.
The contribution for a Memory Wall inscription is $1500. This includes custom engraving during the annual fall installation, with a portion of the contribution used to maintain and enhance the Arboretum.
Applications are now closed. Applications will re-open on the first Monday of June 2027. It will remain open until July 31, or until we reach the capacity (20 applications).
Program details
- A maximum of 20 engraving applications are accepted each year.
- Engravings will be completed once the proof is approved by the donor and the payment is received.
- Payment is due within 30 days of the invoice date. Invoices will be sent out shortly after the applications close.
- Installations of engravings will take place in the fall, weather permitting.
- Flowers, wreaths, or any other memorial items are not permitted around the memory walls.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How do I pay for my commemorative feature?
Once the City has received your application form, an invoice will be mailed or emailed to the donor. Payments can be made by mailing a cheque to The Corporation of the City of London P.O. Box 5035, Rm 406 London, ON, N6A4L9, or through your financial institution to: payee London (city of) invoices. Please note that all payment methods will be listed on the invoice.
When will I receive my charitable receipt?
Charitable receipts for the prior calendar year will be issued by February 28.
Donors who have not received their charitable donation receipt by March 13 should contact financialservices@london.ca
In your email, please include the following information:
- Subject line: Donation receipt for 202X (indicate the donation year)
- In the body of the email, please include:
- Name of donor
- Address of donor
- Date of donation
- Type of donation/Program donated through
- Amount donated
Why is there a limit on the number of application forms that are accepted yearly?
Over the past three years, there has been a significant increase in the number of commemorative feature installations. Having a limit on the number of applications accepted helps City staff coordinate efficient and manageable installations throughout the year.
Why are donors only allowed to choose pre-approved bench locations?
In past years, many donors have selected locations for commemorative benches in parks that already had several benches. This year, the City is providing pre-approved bench locations in parks that need benches.
What happens to the commemorative bench after 10 years?
If the commemorative bench becomes unsafe and unusable after 10 years, the City will remove it and the plaque will be provided to the donor. The donor will have the option to contribute to a new commemorative bench.
Why does the City not offer plaques with commemorative trees?
The City discontinued adding plaques with commemorative trees in 2008 based on feedback.
Can I add another name to an existing bench plaque?
The City does not permit modifications to existing plaques, such as adding additional names or text. Plaques are also not replaced, as their removal may cause damage to the surrounding installation.
Last modified:Tuesday, September 01, 2026