Origins The main feature of the park is a
sandstone outcrop with around 165
petroglyphs on it. The petroglyphs include depictions of the religious and cultural knowledge of Great Lakes Native American tribes. Among the depictions of swirls, lines, handprints, and living beings are: • Ebmodaakowet, the archer who shoots knowledge into the future; • Migizi Inini, the Eagle Man, who looks to the east–the direction of the new day–and flies over to ensure people are following traditions and teachings; • Mishibizhew, the water panther, who protects the waters of the Great Lakes.
Hindrances to preservation The sandstone slab in which the petroglyphs were carved is fragile and subject to weathering and other environmental forces. It has been walked upon and vandalized with
graffiti over the years; someone, long ago prior to the 1920s, chipped out an entire symbol and the surrounding rock for a keepsake. The most recent act of vandalism occurred in 2017 when three images were carved on the rock by unknown individuals. This human activity combined with natural weathering has made the actual petroglyphs difficult for visitors to see. Specialists are concerned that unless more is done to preserve the carvings better, they will be gone by the late 21st century. == Park ecology ==