Photo courtesy of NCWRC
A partnership between the town of Summerfield and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission means more fishing opportunities especially for children and mobility impaired adults.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently partnered with the town of Summerfield to construct a universally accessible fishing pier on School House Lake located in Summerfield Community Park in Guilford County.
The floating, T-shaped, pier features an 8-foot wide walkway and extends 59 feet into the water, ending with an 11’ x 48’ platform. The pier also features three benches and incorporates seven low handrail sections to make it easier for children and wheelchair-bound anglers to cast their lines. To facilitate easier access to the pier from the nearby parking area, the Commission and Summerfield will install a concrete sidewalk this summer.
Anglers fishing School House Lake can reel in largemouth bass, crappie and assorted sunfish from the lake’s 5.5 acres. In late May, the Commission will stock 200 catchable-sized channel catfish in the lake to complement the new fishing pier and to support a kids’ fishing event that Summerfield will hold on June 13. The Commission is also donating fishing grab bags for the children attending the June fishing event.
“We are very excited about providing a new recreational activity to our town park,” said Michael Brandt, town manager. “Being able to offer a fishing program to the community is a great way to introduce children to the joy of fishing; it teaches a life-long recreational activity that encourages kids to be outside surrounded by nature.”
Construction of the pier was funded through the Commission’s Community Fishing Program, a cooperative venture between the Wildlife Resources Commission and local governments to provide more fishing opportunities in city and county parks. Program expenses are cost shared with local cooperators, such as Summerfield Parks and Recreation, with the Commission providing 75 percent of the operating funds through the Sport Fish Restoration Program, and local cooperators paying the remaining 25 percent.
The universally accessible pier is part of Summerfield’s effort to expand the park and improve recreational opportunities for the community. The park includes a playground, restroom facilities, picnic areas and more than a mile of paved and unpaved trails leading around the lake.
This is a great program and there are many community fishing sites across the state. Many of them even have equipment you can borrow. So take a kid fishing.
