Paddling Plan
The City of London's draft Paddling Plan focuses on protecting and enhancing the river corridor by supporting safe and sustainable paddling accesses along the Thames River. The river is known by other names by First Nations who originate from the territory comprised of Southwestern Ontario. The Anishinaabeg and Lunaapewak call it Deshkan Ziibi (Antler River in Anishinaabemowin) and the Haudenosaunee call it Kahwy^hatati (river in ONYOTA:KA). The draft Paddling Plan includes enhancing amenities, signage, mapping, invasive species management, and increasing awareness to help protect and improve the ecosystem health of the river corridor.
The draft Paddling Plan and One River environmental assessment also recommend making accessible updates to existing shore accesses in several parks including Harris Park, Riverside Boat Launch, and the Charles Hunt Weir portage accesses in Charles Hunt Park.
These improvements are being planned in two phases:
- Phase 1 included minor enhancements for several, existing, natural river accesses in safe and sustainable park locations in 2023.
- Phase 2 will include detailed design, studies, and regulatory approvals for several fully accessible river accesses in parks for implementation from 2023 to 2025+.
The City of London completed upgrades at seven river accesses in 2023-2024 on all three river branches as part of the Paddling Plan.
Riverside Boat Launch, an accessible shore access point to the Thames River for paddlers.Phase 1 Natural Paddling Access Improvements - Installed paddling signage with QR codes that link to information here: Paddling in London and here UTRCA Recommended Flows for paddling on Thames River. Trail improvements, invasive species management, and hazard removals (on Main Branch, North Branch, South Branch, and the Forks) were also completed. Phase 1 locations included:
- Riverside Boat Launch (Main Branch)
- Greenway (Main Branch)
- Blackfriars (Forks)
- Gibbons (North Branch)
- North London Athletic Fields (North Branch)
- Chelsea Green (South Branch)
- Vauxhall (South Branch)
As part of Phase 2 Accessible Paddling Access Improvements, fully accessible, higher-end paddling accesses are being improved at a few locations including:
- Windermere Fields (North Branch), to be completed in 2025
- Pottersburg Dog Park (South Branch), to be completed in late 2024 or early 2025
- Harris Park (Forks) under construction, to be completed as part of the Harris Park Shoreline Restoration and Park Improvements
Frequently Asked Questions
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The draft Paddling Plan, and protecting and enhancing the river corridor
- Why would people want to paddle on the Thames River in London?
- Why are existing Thames River accesses points in parks being enhanced?
- How were First Nations communities consulted?
- How were existing paddling accesses in parks identified for review?
- What amenities will be added to the recommended existing accesses in parks?
- Why are some informal existing river accesses being closed?
- What is an accessible paddling access?
- When will the existing access enhancements in parks be complete?
- When will the Springbank dam be decommissioned?
- How are sensitive species and habitats being protected?
- How is the ecosystem health of the river corridor being enhanced?
- What is the River Management Plan?
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Paddling in London
- Where can I paddle in London now?
- When will the Fish and Paddle Guide be updated?
- Does the City have canoes and kayaks for rent?
- Where can I learn more about London’s designated Canadian Heritage River and how to protect it?
- What water levels are considered safe for paddling?
- Are lifejackets recommended for paddling?
