The Coves Urban Wilds – London, Ontario’s Hidden Natural Oasis
Tucked just southwest of downtown London, Ontario lies one of the city’s best-kept secrets:
The Coves Urban Wilds
— a sprawling 85-hectare natural sanctuary shaped by an ancient oxbow of the Thames River.
Rich in biodiversity and steeped in local history,
The Coves offer an immersive escape into nature right in the heart of the city.
A Landscape Formed by Time
The Coves’ unique crescent-shaped ponds and wetlands were formed thousands of years ago when the Thames River shifted its course, leaving behind these serene oxbow lakes.
Today, these water bodies act as vital habitats for wildlife and play a crucial role in stormwater management for the surrounding neighborhoods.
The area includes forests, meadows, floodplains, and wetlands, all connected by a network of trails that weave through the landscape.
It’s part of the Thames River Watershed, designated a Canadian Heritage River, and is overseen in part by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and passionate local stewardship groups like The Friends of the Coves.
Wildlife and Flora
Wander through The Coves, and you’re likely to encounter:
Great blue herons wading in the shallows
White-tailed deer moving through the trees
Songbirds like warblers, chickadees, and nuthatches
Turtles basking on logs
Monarch butterflies fluttering through pollinator gardens
The area is also home to rare and at-risk plant species, including swamp milkweed and the butternut tree.
Things to Do
Whether you’re a casual stroller, a nature photographer, or a family on a weekend adventure, The Coves has something for everyone:
Nature Trails:
Several walking and biking trails loop around the ponds and woodlands. The Glenwood and Euston trails are especially scenic.
Birdwatching:
With diverse ecosystems packed into a small area, it’s a birdwatcher’s paradise—don’t forget your binoculars!
Canoeing & Kayaking:
Some of the ponds and inlets are navigable, offering peaceful paddling opportunities.
Community Events & Restoration Projects: Join local groups for guided hikes, cleanup efforts, tree planting, and wildlife surveys.
Educational Signs:
Along the trails, interpretive signs explain the ecology, history, and environmental restoration work happening in the area.
A Living Landscape
Historically, The Coves area was used by Indigenous peoples for fishing, gathering, and shelter. In the 19th and 20th centuries, parts of the land were used for agriculture and later urban development. Today, it’s a model of urban ecological restoration, with invasive species removal, native plant rewilding, and shoreline stabilization underway.
Getting There
The Coves Urban Wilds can be accessed from multiple points, including:
Springbank Drive
Glenwood Avenue
Euston Park
Near Greenway Park, if you’re coming from the Thames Valley Parkway trail
There’s limited signage from major roads, which only adds to the feeling that you’ve stumbled upon a hidden gem.
In a city known for its green spaces, The Coves Urban Wilds stands out as a rare blend of wilderness and community-driven conservation. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with nature, learn about London’s ecological heritage, or just enjoy a quiet afternoon under the trees, this hidden oasis offers a moment of peace in a busy world.
