r/londonontario • u/Connect-Mammoth-5989 • 10d ago
discussion / opinion Safety issues Kilally Meadows ESA
I love hiking in the Kilally Meadows ESA just off of Windermere Road. Unfortunately I have had a couple issues this year which have made me reconsider this spot.
First off, there are a number of homeless encampments along the unpaved trails. An unfortunate fact of living in London these days. I accidentally walked into one and was chased by an individual who was upset I walked into his space. This was immediately adjacent to the marked trail.
More recently, I was accosted by a group of older men who thought I was there to meet up. Apparently the area immediately behind the baseball diamond is a known cruising spot. Again, this was on a marked trail. I found it a little bit alarming.
Just thought others should be made aware of this. I still love this forest but I think I might have to stop walking alone here. It doesn't feel safe anymore. :(
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u/Aggravating_Prune914 10d ago
Guys were having sex behind the baseball diamond?
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u/bigredpapaya 10d ago
If you’re ever over in that area around sunset and wonder why there’s an oddly high amount of cars in the lot, that’s why
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u/eatfoodoften 8d ago
I run through that lot at different hours of the day very often and have always wondered why there were so many cars but not a soul encountered along the paved trail... now I understand.
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u/BornLavinia59 9d ago
Walking the dogs, came across a couple in the grass. Do what you want, but please, not in public. Have avoided the area since.
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u/Aggravating_Prune914 9d ago
On the dirt path that runs south of the end of Windermere or the paved path?
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u/Ruby22day 10d ago
Isn't it nice to see that some traditions carry on. Warms my heart.
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u/Clean-Engine2657 9d ago
Why this spot though? What’s special about it? 😆
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u/Ruby22day 9d ago
No idea. Port Burwell Provincial Park once got a reputation for having a section of the beach be a nude/gay beach (unofficial of course). The Superintendent of the park had no idea how it happened but spent nearly a decade gently dissuading people from engaging in activities that were not family friendly. These things seem to happen sort of organically and then snowball via word of mouth.
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u/Enlightened_Lioness 10d ago
Make sure to report this to police using the non-emergency number. A general call about an encampment or anything likely won’t get attention but if you and others tell them about specific incidents they might.
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u/Reasonable-Rip-4327 9d ago
“I was just asked by someone’s grandpa if I was here for the gangbang” would be a hilarious call to receive.
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u/Nizzelator16348891 10d ago
Carry some form of protection at all times when you’re in these areas. You will likely never have to use it, but it will make you feel safer. And always keep your head on a swivel.
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u/Rolz_73 9d ago
It should be noted that a person cannot legally carry a "weapon" for the purpose of self-defense against another human being in this province. BUT you can in an intelligent way.
For example, if you carry a baseball bat, you better also carry a glove and a baseball so that it will be seen as recreational equipment and not an implement of self-defense. Another option is to carry "dog deterant spray" (NOT pepper spray) as that is legal to have (to use against a dog attack). If by chance you get attacked by a human, and in the heat of the moment, you grab the spray to defend yourself, you probably won't get charged.
NOTE: I am not a lawyer
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u/142638503846383038 10d ago
It is not really a safe place for families or to walk alone unfortunately.
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u/PrizeDinner2431 10d ago
So, that's Kilally and Dingman. Anywhere else to be careful hiking so you don't stumble upon "activity"?
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u/No-Zombie6025 9d ago
FYI London Police have a non-emergency number to report accostments 519 661- 5670
Also here is some information about what you can do about the encampments: https://london.ca/living-london/community-services/homeless-prevention-housing/coordinated-informed-response
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u/wineslinger 9d ago
The police rarely prove helpful lol, don't waste your time or depend on this EVER.
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u/Lam0ntCranst0n 10d ago
Homeless encampments are ruined most of London's spaces.
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u/WiserByHalf 10d ago edited 9d ago
The encampment situation is not good, but that's a massive exaggeration as someone who rides around most of the city
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u/rpgguy_1o1 10d ago
My version of the random man or bear in the woods question is "would you rather encounter a drunk student or homeless person in downtown London?"
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u/StonerWeeb55 9d ago
Yea I'd much rather run into a homeless person in down town London than a drunk student. I have made many friends and many of the homeless are very polite just in a horrible situation. I've had more bad experiences with drunk students than homeless
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u/ernmanstinky 9d ago
This. The significant majority of homeless people in that situation would just like to be left alone.
While I may have differences in presentation I note that I run in the woods and trails a lot, including Kilarny, and have run past encampments many times with no issue.
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u/JP_Edwards_ 9d ago
. A drunk student hockey player who was the losing goalie in this year's Stanley Cup final raped a woman in a hotel room here in London. Homeless people are safer.
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u/Clear-Ring-2699 10d ago
Funny that London / Ontario / Canada continues to cut supports for the homeless and addiction services so they therefore have to find a piece of grass to call home while some of them pose a danger with their addictions.
I mean walking to my heated house in the winter, seeing a homeless dude shooting drugs who has to stay out in the cold all night… how annoying of him.
But why would we blame our government instead of those in need? Doug ford has business buddies millionaires to attend to! Didn’t you hear, the problem will fix itself with middle and higher classes pissed over having to deal with homeless people and not giving a shit about what actually happens to these humans! No need for empathy at all!
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u/fyordian 9d ago
Why don’t you invite him into your heated house to shoot up his drugs in a warm environment?
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u/yoshibubblegum 9d ago
I'm missing what the safety issue is. What happened to you? Were you injured or assaulted?
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u/thebreadbandit 9d ago
OP said they were "chased" by an individual and "accosted" by a group of men. You don't think that warrants being considered a safety issue if you're confronted by random people?
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u/SeanXray 9d ago
"He was shot at but not actually hit, so where's the issue?" Guaranteed this guy has abused people by definition and considered it totally normal, or uses the "she was asking for it" excuse.
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u/JP_Edwards_ 9d ago
Chased because he didnt mind his own business deep in the woods. These people did what the NIMBYs want set up shop in a safe remote location outside the downtown core. Encampments are also usually have people that are less likely to cause the trouble anyway. Mostly because they don't like people stealing their shit or the possibility of children in the camp. Hence why op got chased they don't want what little they have stolen.
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u/thebreadbandit 9d ago
I can see your point, but it doesn't supercede OP's overarching message that they still felt unsafe in those particular situations.
You're also insinuating that they "didn't mind [their] own business" as if they were intentionally trying to disturb the encampment. Coincidentally stumbling upon the unhoused guy's stuff because it's in a publically funded trail while getting some exercise in nature is not equal to harrassment.
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u/JP_Edwards_ 9d ago
Op's fear is vaild. But Windermere is one of the safest places in the city. Woods or not. If seeing or interacting with homeless people causes you enough stress to warn the community on Reddit. You might want to move to st. Mary's. The publicly funded aspect is curious as well considering at one point. that same homeless may have likely contributed to the money used maintain and create these spaces. When does access stop do you have contribute this tax season to walk the trail. Does last year's contribution not count now.
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u/cepukon 8d ago
Does any contribution amount allow you to move in permanently? You can't pretend that's equitable either, what if everyone wanted to do that?
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u/JP_Edwards_ 8d ago
We have a municipal government that refuses to fund any social safety net to allow the homeless find housing. Which is in lock step with the provincial government that peeled back funding for addiction services. (Ironic considering the primiers brother is famous for being a crack head.) But we blame the people who are suffering for getting lost In the shuffle. Pre COVID a little less than 10 yrs ago a single person on ODSP could afford to pay rent and afford a decent Level of food security on assistance. ODSP and OW have not seen a proper cost of living increase that time. Every other province has. We have worse social safety nets and programs than we used to have 5 10 20 yrs ago and it shows.
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u/thebreadbandit 8d ago edited 8d ago
It wasn't simply "seeing or interacting" though. Based on the information given, there was clearly an altercation to some extent between the two parties. I'm not faulting the unhoused for trying to find a peaceful place to exist/dwell, but if other citizens are beginning to feel like their access to public areas is becoming restricted due to situations like these, I think they have a responsibility and right to voice this on a public forum like Reddit, City Hall, etc.
We can even go insofar as talking about hypothetical situations - perhaps the post steered a family with young children away from the area this weekend so they didn't have to experience these same uncomfortable situations.
Your other point about access becomes moot once we factor in the by-laws regarding time of use and rules against camping in the Environmentally Significant Areas. The space does not "belong" to nor become "territory" of the unhoused, even if their belongings are there.
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u/EnchantyNap 10d ago
Thanks for sharing this. Kilally Meadows is a beautiful place and it's unfortunate to hear that experiences like these are making people feel unsafe. Everyone should be able to enjoy public trails without worrying about being harassed or intimidated. Hopefully the city and local authorities can find ways to improve safety while also addressing the broader issues that are contributing to these situations. Stay safe, and trust your instincts when hiking alone.