Widespread urban river degradation has prompted a proliferation of river restoration projects in Southern Ontario (Canada), from hardened, oversized channels to natural channel designs with floodplain connectivity and wooden grade control structures. Short-term (2-3 years) monitoring is standard following restoration to evaluate the stability of the design and to establish the project's ability to meet stated ecological objectives. However, geomorphic adjustments can continue for several years to decades following project construction, resulting in a lack of knowledge on how designs perform in the long run and of how successful they are in producing lasting habitats for native species. This study assesses the successes of four restorations across Southern Ontario with a range of ages (9-14 years), design styles, and stated goals. To assess the geomorphic and ecological condition of the sites, the Ontario Stream Assessment Protocol (OSAP) geomorphic assessment procedure was used along with water chemistry samples, sediment characterization, and riverbed surveys. The collected data was compared with previous short-term monitoring data to evaluate how the designs have performed over time and to explore how introducing long-term monitoring data can improve and potentially redefine our understanding of urban river restoration 'success'. In the face of climate change and rapid urban growth, understanding how river restoration designs support native species while maintaining channel stability over long periods will be essential to improving the practice of river restoration to focus on long-term physical and ecological success.