The Ice Pond Nature Park in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, celebrated the opening of a new accessible fishing dock on March 20, 2026, to help more residents enjoy the outdoors regardless of their physical abilities. This new feature allows seniors, families with young children, and people with mobility challenges to fish in a safe and inclusive environment at the park.
The project was led by the Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association (BBEMA) in partnership with the City of Summerside and the Prince Edward Island government. It supports the city’s goal of being a welcoming place for all ages, as Summerside was the first community in the province to receive an official age-friendly designation.
The dock is located at the historic Ice Pond, which was once known as the best source of pure ice in Prince County during the 1890s. BBEMA led a major multi-year effort to restore the pond, which included removing a deteriorating dam and installing a fish ladder so that fish could move freely through the water again.
Funding for the pond restoration included approximately $300,000 from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, while the land itself was donated by Amalgamated Dairies Ltd. to BBEMA to ensure its conservation as a natural sanctuary. Visitors can also walk along the Barry Mayne Trail, a path named in honour of the late volunteer who spearheaded the restoration project for the community.
