Lions Centennial Park lies along the northwest side of Highway 2A, the major local thoroughfare, as it passes through town. A long narrow park of several acres in size, it has a stocked trout pond near its northern end, stocked every spring with about 500 eight to ten inch rainbows. The rainbows come from a hatchery at Smoky Trout Pond west of Red Deer, which raises about 100,000 fish per year, primarily rainbows, brook trout and grass carp.
Near the centre of the pond is a fountain, spewing water skyward in several jets, one aimed directly upward and several outward at an angle. Since the pond is stocked with trout, we suspect that the fountain does double duty as an attraction and an aerator, entraining oxygen in the water as it is airborne. This appears to be a
floating pond fountain, many of which are sold to individuals and municipalities for just such a situation.
While there is a walking path surrounding the pond, there are two specific fishing spots, one on the southwest corner and the other on the northern edge. This last one has a small wooden wharf built out onto the water, a good place to place your easy chair as you snooze, waiting for a bite.
The pond is intended for fishing primarily by youth and seniors, but is not regulated. No boats are allowed in the pond; one must fish from the shore. We had no fishing gear aboard when we passed through Ponoka, so had to just stand on the wharf and dream.
Elsewhere in the park are a children's playground and a mini golf course, as well as a pretty big sculpture - the
World’s Largest Bucking Saddle Bronc Horse & Rider. Also in the park are an open air stage, covered picnic areas, flush toilets, barbeque pits, the stocked trout pond and a play structure. Just north of the park's northern edge is a gazebo, useful for picnicking or getting out of the rain.