Selkirk Provincial Park

The area around Selkirk Provincial Park has been used by humans for almost three thousand years. An archaeological dig on the lakeshore edge of Selkirk Provincial Park, near the mouth of Spring Creek, uncovered pottery and charcoal that archaeologist were able to date back to the ancient Princess Point culture.  Princess Point culture marks the cultural transition from an economy based on foraging to one that incorporated agriculture as a primary economic driver; Princess Point culture marks the beginnings of maize (corn) cultivation.

Selkirk Provincial Park, much like the rest of Carolinian Canada, has experienced the impacts of land-clearing and farming. Yet the Park’s unique geology, topography and proximity to a marsh make any intensive development difficult.  Limestone bedrock features intersect here and are visible in the stream channel. The shelves of bedrock extend out to the nearshore beach, creating ideal shallow water fish spawning habitat. The Park contains grasslands, hickory-oak backshore forest, marshes, and even a pine plantation.  The Park is home to many rare species that are adapted to the conditions of the variety of habitats.