Petroglyphs Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Petroglyphs Provincial Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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Building protecting petroglyphs
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| Location | Woodview, Ontario, Canada |
| Nearest city | Peterborough |
| Area | 16.43 km2 (6.34 sq mi) |
| Established | 1976 |
| Visitors | 17,735 (in 2022) |
| Governing body | Ontario Parks |
| Website | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/petroglyphs |
| Official name: Peterborough Petroglyphs National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1981 |
Petroglyphs Provincial Park is a special place in Woodview, Ontario, Canada. It's located northeast of Peterborough. This park is home to the largest collection of ancient rock carvings, called petroglyphs, in Ontario.
These amazing carvings were made a very long time ago by First Nations people. They show important parts of their beliefs and way of life. You can see pictures of animals, reptiles, and even spiritual figures. The site was kept secret from others until it was found by accident in 1954. Today, it is a National Historic Site of Canada.
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Ancient Rock Carvings: The Teaching Rocks
The rock carvings at the park are believed to have been made by Algonquian or Iroquoian speaking people. This happened between 900 and 1100 AD, or even earlier. First Nations people in Ontario call these carvings Kinomagewapkong. This means "the rocks that teach" or "the Teaching Rocks."
The carvings were made by using hard gneiss hammers to chip away at the soft rock. There are about 1200 carvings, some up to three inches deep. They show human shapes, animals, and a large figure that looks like the sun.
The Sacred Meaning of the Site
The rock carvings are very important, but the rock site itself is also considered sacred. Many Anishinaabe people visit this place for spiritual reasons. They believe that deep cracks in the rock lead to the spirit world. An underground stream flows beneath the rock, making sounds. Indigenous people interpret these sounds as spirits speaking to them.
Nature and Wildlife at the Park
Even though it's a historical park, Petroglyphs Provincial Park has a lot of nature. The carvings are in a small part of the park. The rest of the park, which is about 1643 hectares, is mostly forest. This forest is home to some rare animals.
Animals You Might See
One special animal found here is the five-lined skink. This lizard is rare in Ontario. The park is also next to the Peterborough Crown Game Preserve. This means you might spot many local animals. These include beavers, otters, and white-tailed deer. You could also see squirrels, chipmunks, and sometimes even a wolf.
Many different birds live in the park too. Keep an eye out for wild turkeys, woodpeckers, grouse, hawks, jays, and eagles.
Visiting Petroglyphs Provincial Park
The park welcomes visitors from the second Friday in May until Thanksgiving. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. However, it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the spring and fall.
The Learning Place Visitor Centre
The park's visitor centre is called the Learning Place. It opened in 2002 and is managed by the Curve Lake First Nation. Inside, you can learn all about the petroglyphs. Displays explain their spiritual meaning to First Nations people. A movie called The Teaching Rocks is shown daily upon request. There is also a fun activity room for children and a gift shop.
The rock carvings themselves are protected by a special building. You will find signs and guides there to help you understand them. To respect the spiritual importance of the site, taking photos or videos of the carvings is not allowed. Dogs are also not allowed inside any of the park buildings.
See also
- Sanilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park, a large collection of ancient Native American rock carvings in Michigan, U.S.A.
