Serpent Mounds Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Serpent Mounds Provincial Park |
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Burial mounds like these inspired the name of the park due to their zig-zags resembling a serpent.
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| Location | Keene, Ontario, Canada |
| Nearest city | Peterborough, Ontario, Canada |
| Area | 1.35 km2 (0.52 sq mi) |
| Closed | 2009 |
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| Status | Closed due to the decline in the tourism market and failing infrastructure |
| Camp sites | 152 |
| Designated: | June 12, 1982 |
| Statute: | Historic Sites and Monuments Act |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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| Designated: | 1957 |
Serpent Mounds Park was once a special place in Keene, Ontario, Canada. It was both a historical site and a fun place for people to visit. The park is named after ancient burial mounds that look like a giant snake winding across the land.
The park first opened in 1955. It was a provincial park, meaning it was managed by the government of Ontario. This happened through an agreement with the Hiawatha First Nation, who are the original people of this land. In 1982, the Serpent Mounds were recognized as a National Historic Site. This means they are very important to Canada's history.
From 1995 to 2009, the Hiawatha First Nation took over running the park themselves. They offered many activities like camping, swimming at Rice Lake, and a cultural center. Visitors could also take guided walks to learn about the historic mounds. Sadly, the park closed in 2009 and is no longer open to the public.
What are the Serpent Mounds?
The Serpent Mounds are ancient burial sites. They were built by early peoples who lived in this area a very long time ago. These mounds are shaped like a snake, which is why the park got its name. There are also other mounds nearby.
Who Built the Serpent Mounds?
Scientists who study old things, called archaeologists, have dug up the area where the Serpent Mounds are. They found that people started building and living there about 2,000 years ago. This was during a time called the Middle Woodland Period.
The first people to live at this site were part of a group that archaeologists call the Point Peninsula Complex. We know this from the tools and other items, called artifacts, they left behind. These people lived in parts of Ontario, Quebec, and New York state between 300 BC and 700 AD.
What Activities Were at the Park?
When Serpent Mounds Park was open, it offered many fun things to do. Visitors could enjoy:
- Learning about Indigenous art in workshops
- Birdwatching to see different kinds of birds
- Swimming in the lake
- Fishing for different types of fish
- Boating on the water
