Accessing the Thames River could soon be easier, safer for paddlers as London drafts new plan

Just last week, London artist Catherine Morrisey was floating along the Thames River in her bright yellow kayak through downtown London with a group of neighbours. 

"It's just a complete nature experience, and that's right downtown," she said. 

She's one kayaker "thrilled" about the City of London's efforts to improve safety and sustainability along the river for paddlers. 

The city's drafted paddling plan focuses on making the river more accessible at various entry points in parks across the city, along with improving signs, maps and protecting ecosystem health. As part of the plan, the city is hoping to hear input from the public.  

The plan is welcome news for Morrisey, who said it would "make it easier" for people launching canoes and kayaks. She typically kayaks once a week through the summer, depending on water levels. This year, the weather was warm enough to paddle into November. 

 

She and a few neighbours use a natural sandy area to launch their kayaks near their homes, but said it could be physically challenging for some people to get up and down the hill. The group of river enthusiasts call themselves the 'Soho Yacht Club' and regularly clean up garbage from the area.  

"There are times when you can sit in the middle of the river and you get the complete reflection of the sky and the trees going below you. It's this wonderful suspended feeling of being in space and the woods are so beautiful," she said.

'Safe and accessible'

Linda McDougall, landscape architect at the city working on the paddle plan, wants to see more people familiar with the the Thames River, she said. 

"It's important that folks are able to have safe and accessible and sustainable access to the river."

The main reasons for the project are to protect and enhance the ecosystem health of the river corridor, as well as, provide safe and sustainable access to the river for all ages and abilities in strategic locations, she said. 

The plan started with the Back to the River revitalization project. "We wanted folks to come back to the river and appreciate the amazing Canadian heritage river we have right here in London."

It can be difficult to find good access points to the river, said Janet Taylor, president of the London Canoe Club for about 30 years. She learned to canoe on the Thames River and now runs the membership-based club out of Sharon Creek Conservation Area.

"I would think that the plan that the city is putting in place would help to better identify those areas where people ... can get in and out more easily," she said. 

Taylor believes the river is an integral part of life in the city. "The actual lovely waterway that that flows through just adds to everything we can do within the city."

The Thames River is one of 41 heritage rivers across Canada, according to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. 

Phase 1 of the plan will start next year and bring "minor enhancements" to several existing natural river access points in 2023. Fully accessible access points will be part of Phase 2, beginning the same year. 

Accessibility updates are planned for Springbank Park, Harris Park, Riverside Boat Launch and the Charles Hunt Weir portage. 

The city has published a fish and paddle map directing people to shore access points and amenities.