Thames River Paddling in London: Phase Two and Paddlers' Aspirations

The City of London recently wrapped up the first phase of their ambitious Paddling Plan, aiming to enhance canoe and kayak access points along the Thames River. With new signage and trail improvements at six launch sites, the city intends to make the designated Canadian heritage river more accessible and enjoyable for paddlers.

Local paddlers, however, feel these changes are not yet visible or sufficient. While signage, trail maintenance, and invasive plant removal have been initiated, many canoeists and kayakers are still awaiting notable improvements that promise to enhance their river experience.

A key element of the city's efforts includes tall blue signs with QR codes at each enhanced launch point. These codes link to the city's paddling information page and the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's recommended paddling flows. But according to paddler and marketing manager Sara Mills, more accessible resources are needed for effective paddling preparation.

Paddlers like Mills highlight the necessity for better navigation and safety features. Despite the new signs, many feel that the improvements have been 'painfully slow moving.' They urge the city to accelerate the pace and breadth of enhancements to genuinely make a difference.

Frequent paddlers such as Dan Tyo also recommend additional amenities. He suggests adding porta-potties and boat launch pads to provide better stability for first-time paddlers. Tyo stresses that these improvements would encourage more people to embrace the sport.

Mills recently planned a canoe trip from Springbank Gardens to Komoka Road, using information sourced from a local Facebook page—Thames River Paddling Routes Project. This community-driven page offers valuable data like access points, distances, flow rates, and river maps, highlighting a gap where city-provided resources could improve.

Looking ahead to phase two of the Paddling Plan, the city is focusing on further removing invasive species, adding five more QR-coded signs, and possibly incorporating seating and picnic areas at access points. However, the timeline remains open-ended with a completion estimate of '2025+'.

Linda McDougall, the city's landscape architect, assures that the city's commitment to safe and sustainable river access is ongoing. Recognizing the paddlers' feedback, the city is continually seeking opportunities to enhance accessibility and ensure better paddling conditions along the Thames.

As the conversation about river accessibility continues, local paddlers remain hopeful that their suggestions will be integrated into the Paddling Plan. With effective collaboration between the city and the paddling community, Londoners can look forward to a significantly improved paddling experience on the Thames River in the near future.