Kensington

At the intersection of five major roads, 15 kilometres east of the City of Summerside, you will find the Town of Kensington.

The Mi'kmaq called this area Kataqanek, meaning "At the place of the thing related to, or made from, or connected to eels." The community was founded in 1824, and was then known as Five Lanes End, then Barrett's Cross, before finally becoming Kensington, and later incorporated into a town in 1914.

In 2021 the population of Kensington was 1,812. I visited Kensington last weekend, and here's what I discovered:

1. Selfie with the town's welcome sign: Took a selfie with the Town's welcome sign on Route 2. 

2. Visitor's Centre: No Visitor's Centre in Kensington, although you can find one in nearby Summerside. There's also an information kiosk with maps of the Town and County near the Kensington Train Station off Broadway Street North.

3. Museum or heritage centre: At the heart of Kensington you will find the Kensington Rail Station. During the time of railways in PEI this would have been a busy spot. Today the buildings that once housed the rail yard are filled with local vendors, and placards depicting the history of the rail line in PEI can be found surrounding the old line, now part of PEI's Confederation Trail. 

4. Public space: Took a stroll through the beautiful Alysha Toombs Memorial Park off Garden Drive. 

5. Local restaurant: Back in March 2021 my sister and I enjoyed a meal at Island Stone Pub with my Uncle Rod and Aunt Nancy. A couple of months later Rod passed away after a brief illness, and as COVID prevented the attendance of our off-island family at his funeral and a reception afterwards; my sister, brother-in-law and I returned to this pub after his burial to raise a glass in his memory. So while in Kensington I visited this special spot once again, and enjoyed a meal of fish and chips. 

6. Locally produced spirit: No producers in Kensington, but while at the Island Stone Pub I had a glass of Blueberry Ale from the PEI Brewing Company for Uncle Rod.

7. Art in public places: It was a beautiful summer day, and I got to enjoy both live music and murals at the Schurman Centennial Gazebo by the Kensington Train Station. 

8. Town swag: Couldn't find any Kensington-specific swag, although there are a few galleries featuring local artists in town. I dropped by one of my favourite spots, Bloom House and after some pup time with John Denver and Norma Jean (the two Golden Retriever greeters), I picked up a snake plant. 

Kensington Train Station 

A little bit of trivia: The railway in PEI ran until 1989. After it closed, the provincial government bought the properties, and 75% of it became what is now known as the Confederation Trail, a 470 kilometre trail connecting PEI from tip to tip.