Thames River paddling plan enters second phase but London paddlers want more

Canoeists and kayakers in London, Ont., say they have not noticed many changes to paddling launch points along the Thames River, despite the city's promise for improvements.

The City of London completed the first phase of their Paddling Plan in the fall of 2023, adding new signage and trail improvements to six boat launch points. 

The plan aims to protect the Thames and make it easier for Londoners to enjoy the designated Canadian heritage river, said Linda McDougall, the city's landscape architect.

But some Londoners have yet to see these improvements take place – and they want more from the city to increase paddler safety.

"If you intend to paddle on the Thames, you should be doing a fair amount of research and I wish that resources…were a bit more accessible," said Sara Mills, a paddler and the marketing manager at Nova Craft Canoe. 

"It does take more organization, more forethought and more planning than just paddling," Mills said. 

Each newly enhanced launch point has a tall blue sign with two QR codes at the bottom: one takes Londoners to the city's paddling information page and the other to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's recommended flows for paddling website.

The city also removed invasive plants along the six access points to preserve the river's health and improve the recreational enjoyment of the space, McDougall said. 

But Mills said the city's plans to improve river access have been "painfully slow moving." 

She said she was one of the paddlers who took city officials across the Thames more than five years ago as part of the plan's research phase.

"I can't say there's been a ton of progress," Mills said.

Paddlers want better access, safety

Local canoeists and kayakers say it's not just the speed of the Paddling Plan that is a problem, but that the city can do more to improve river access, especially for new paddlers. 

Dan Tyo often launches his kayak from the access point near Riverside Drive and Wonderland Road, which recently underwent improvements. It has a new sign and concrete paving between the parking lot and the river, but Tyo said he would like to see additional amenities.

His suggestions include adding porta-potties and boat launch pads, which provide more stability for people getting in the water. 

"I think it would encourage a lot of first-timers," Tyo said. "If you don't have the gear and you don't know what to expect, it's hard to dip your feet in the water to launch your boat." 

Mills said she wants the city to provide more resources that will help with paddler navigation and safety.

"I really like the idea of promoting access and encouraging folks to get on the river to paddle is really appealing, but I think it needs to be balanced with strong navigation and safety points," Mills said. 

She recently canoed from Springbank Gardens to Komoka Road, a trip she planned through information she found on a locally-run Facebook page, called the Thames River Paddling Routes Project.

The page posts access points, distances between those points, flow rates and river maps, which Mills said is a great resource for paddlers but people don't know about it.

She said she wants to see the city similarly add maps and safety details to their signs, as well as ensure access points are well-maintained and not overly steep.

Moving into phase two

McDougall said the Paddling Project team is also discussing how to further improve access points by providing features like seating and picnic areas.

She said this conversation is part of the second phase of the Paddling Plan, which is in progress now. The city is also removing more invasive plants and planning to add five more QR-coded signs to access points throughout 2025.

There is no clear-cut completion date for the Paddling Plan. The city's website says the second phase will be complete by "2025+" which McDougall said references the city's ongoing commitment to paddling accessibility.

"We're always going to be looking for those opportunities to improve access to the river in a safe and sustainable way," McDougall said.