Misery Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Misery Bay |
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| Location | Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada |
| Area | 1,079 ha (4.17 sq mi) |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Governing body | Ontario Parks |
Misery Bay is a special freshwater bay on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, Canada. It is famous for its unique flat rock areas called alvars. These large rock pavements, made of dolomite, were flattened by giant glaciers long ago. The area also features deep cracks in the rocks called grykes and important wetlands, which are watery habitats.
A Young Landscape: How Misery Bay Formed
The land around Misery Bay is quite young in geological terms. About 20,000 years ago, a massive sheet of ice, known as the Laurentide Ice Sheet, covered this entire region. This huge glacier shaped the landscape.
The ice finally melted and moved away about 10,000 years ago. After the ice left, much of the area was covered by water from glacial lakes. This happened about 4,000 years after the ice disappeared.
Since then, the land has been slowly rising. This happens because the heavy weight of the glacier is no longer pressing it down. This slow rising continues even today.
Protecting Misery Bay: A Family's Gift
For many years, the land around Misery Bay was privately owned. The Sifferd family bought this land in 1959. They quickly realized how special and important the area was.
The Sifferd family worked hard to protect this unique natural space. In 1982, they built a visitor's centre to help people learn about the bay. Later, in 1989, they generously donated the land to Ontario Parks. This gift helped create a protected area for everyone to enjoy.
Misery Bay Provincial Park: A Volunteer Effort
In 1989, Ontario officially created a provincial park around Misery Bay. This park protects the bay and its surrounding forests. The park covers a large area of 1,079 hectares (about 2,666 acres).
The park has about 15 kilometers (9 miles) of trails. These trails let visitors explore both the coast and the inland areas. A dedicated group of volunteers, called the Friends of Misery Bay, helps run the park.
These volunteers manage the visitor centre and keep the park's trails in good condition. Misery Bay is unique because it is the only provincial park in Ontario that is run entirely by volunteers.
