KEENE, ONTARIO

'Keene' is a small community in Ontario, Canada, with a maximum population of about 500 people. It is located on the northern shore of Rice Lake, and as such is a popular waypoint for people coming to enjoy fishing, camping and cottaging in the Kawarthas. It is the central hub of Otonabee-South Monaghan Township, and houses the Municipal Office on Fourth Street, directly across from the Otonabee-South Monaghan Fire Department's Station One.
Natural attractions in the Keene area focuses mainly on the local Serpent Mounds Campgrounds and Historical Site. Serpent Mounds, a past provincial park before being returned to the Hiawatha First Nations people, is a historically significant burial grounds for the Native people. In addition to the mounds and campgrounds, Serpent Mounds also has a groomed beach for swimming and several kilometers of walking and biking trails. Another popular pastime in the Keene area is fishing. Rice Lake is known to many as a great spot for some boating and fishing. There are also several resorts with water access points, such as Elmhirst's Resort. Also small business' that cater to tourists with a local grocery store and ''Patricia's Gift Shop'' located in a Victorian House.
Keene is also home to a school of approximately 600 students called North Shore Public School. This school is the main elementary school for Keene itself as well as the outlying farm families. North Shore is a feeder school for Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School, and has a longstanding tradition of producing both excellent athletes and excellent academic students.
Keene is located about 20km (12 miles) from the larger city of Peterborough. Keene was voted one of the ''Prettiest towns'' in Ontario by '''Harrowsmith''' magazine.