Fredericton dramatically expanding river access to paddlers

A river might run through downtown Fredericton, but it's not always easy to find a launch spot for acanoe or kayak.

In a new initiative, the city is planning to add up to a dozen free, public access points to three major waterwaysover the next two to three years. Docks will also be improved, with several that will be wheelchair accessible.

Dave Seabrook, the city's director of recreation, tourism, and culture, told a council committee meeting on Thursdaythe St. John River could be used more than it is now.

"I think many of us would agree that we have this beautiful river, and it's perhaps not as utilized as it could be," Seabrook said.

Aiming to expandon the city'snetwork of trails on land, the city is referring to its river routes as blue trails.

"From a tourism point of view, we think we also have a spectacular opportunity paddling these new blue-trail waterways, which are incredibly rich in wildlife, really spectacularly so, for an urban centre," Seabrook said.

"We have an opportunity to essentially own recreational paddling in Atlantic Canada."

WATCH | New river access points, boat storage coming to Fredericton:

Fredericton plans to expand access along several waterways

4 months ago

Duration 1:18

The city hopes the expansion of the water trail network along the St. John and Nashwaak rivers, and the Nashwaaksis Stream will benefit local residents and tourists.

Many access points now are on private property, he said. The city is planning to not improve and place signson existing access sites, but also create several new ones.

"There's really a low awareness of access points and launch points and how to paddle our rivers and waterways, both from a recreational perspective and a tourism perspective."

Access sites will be added along the St. John and Nashwaakrivers and the Nashwaaksis Stream. There is also planned access to Ross Island.

The city recently purchased the spot, which is part of the Keswick Islands, just upriver from downtown.

"They're just beautiful places to paddle, and a lot of the wildlife on these rivers is best and only seen from the water."

The city has also been working with Fredericton Recreation, Capital Region Tourism, Explore N.B.and Indigenous stakeholders, Seabrook said.

He said the city has been speaking with elders in the Sitansisk and Oromocto First Nations to understand their connection tothe rivers and how to tell that story through tourism initiatives.

Access under the proposal is only for non-motorized boats, such ascanoes and kayaks, while motorized boat access might come later, hesaid.

Summerboat storage is also being planned for a fee at the Fredericton River Centre, which was previously called the Small Craft Aquatic Centre.

The city is hiring two students to be riverkeepers, to monitorand cleanup launch sites and promote keeping the rivers clean.

"If we're going to try to get more people on our waterways, we need to also have a plan to take care of those waterways," Seabrook said.

He said the riverkeepersare modelled after thoseon the Saco River in Maine and New Hampshire, which Seabrook said has about 30 people working the job. When asked if two is enough, he said it'sa great start and the city will be monitoring the program this summer to see if more are needed.

Work beginning this yearincludes new formalized launch sites at the Marysville Heritage Centre on the NashwaakRiver, Cityview Avenue on the north side of Fredericton and the old Penniac Bridge.

Accessible dock sites are also planned this year for Killarney Lake and Morrell Park.

Several councillors voiced support for the plan after the presentation.

"When I first came to Frederictonthe river access points were as secret as the good fishing spots, so making that available to everyone for equal access is really important," said Coun. Ruth Breen.

"I found myself online looking for kayaks during [the] presentation. I need to get a couple of kayaks to bring the kids out and enjoy our river," said Coun. Henri Mallet.

When asked if kayak or canoe rentals might be possible at city launch sites in the future, Seabrook said there are already several tourism operators in Fredericton offering that service.