Otonabee-South Monaghan

The Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan, located just East of the City of Peterborough along the North shores of Rice Lake, is a rural area that includes several small communities and hamlets including Assumption, Bailieboro, Bensfort, Bensfort Bridge, Blezard, Cameron, Campbelltown, Drummond, Hall Landing, Indian River, Jermyn, Keene, Lang, Mathers Corners, Pengelly Landing, Pleasant Point, Stewart Hall, Villiers, Wallace Point and Zion. Built on a strong foundation of arts, culture and heritage, the township offers more than just a scenic canvas for you to write your family’s story on.

The area at large can be described as an environment where time slows down and nature takes over. The village of Keene, once voted the “Prettiest Town in Ontario”, is a wonderful rural community located along the Indian River and marks an important historical route for fur and timber traders. Today, the area is home to artists, farmers, bustling businesses and long standing family traditions that have provided the area at large with the warmth and welcoming nature that it is so well known for.

With the vast number of communities that make up the Township, it’s no wonder that the area has so much to offer. With quick and easy access to the Highway 115 and Trans-Canada Highway 7, it’s a great spot for those looking for country living with access in mind.

Think of anything outdoorsy and the town will give it to you.

Otonabee-South Monaghan is a sanctuary for birdwatchers as it offers tall grass prairies, rolling farmland and wide and open natural spaces. A town that any biker or simply anyone who loves cycling will enjoy. The area is famous for its outstanding cycling trails as it offers over 10 kilometres of beautiful trails of mountain biking. In case you forgot to carry your bike the town’s got your back as there are many locations throughout the region that offers rentals.

Outdoor lovers are given a chance to experience the thrill of the different parks for instance Mark S. Burnham Provincial Park has 1.5 kilometres of walking trails through a forest of beech, elm, hemlock trees and majestic maple.

Want an exotic picnic, carry your packed meal and choose one of the many picnic tables provided at the park. Those interested in reptiles can visit the Indian River Reptile Zoo that consist of more than 400 rescued reptiles like monitors, snakes, lizards among others. The Zoo gives live animal educational demonstration giving you a chance to learn more about reptiles and quench your thirst of knowledge for reptiles.

Get an experience like no other at the Bellmere Winds Gold Course as you will get to put your skills to test and at the same time enjoy the gorgeous views of Rice Lake. The golf course is suitable for both experienced and beginners golfers. The foods offered by the restaurants are mouthwatering making you to never get enough of them. The dining experience is mixed with a view of Rice Lake and there is nothing as beautiful and satisfying as a good meal with a good view. The art lovers are definitely not left behind for there is ZinArt’s Rice Lake Gallery that is rich in art and provides exhibitions throughout summer.

A popular spot amongst both locals and tourists, Rice Lake stretches from Bewdley to Hastings and offers much more than just swimming and boating. It’s a well-established, year-round fishing destination that offers 37 kilometers of bass, walleye, muskie, carp and panfish territory. With plenty of heritage, activities and fishing, you’ll want to make Rice Lake a spot on your destination!

The township was formed in 1998 on January 1st after South Monaghan and Otonabee were amalgamated. Some of the many communities found here are Stewart Hall, Keene, Assumption, Bailieboro, Campbelltown among others. One of the historical things that are still in operation is the Lang Pioneer Village Museum which offers a living history museum that is situated in the hamlet of Lang.