MADISON, Wis. — Lizard Mound State Park will soon receive some enhancements.
The National Park Service awarded the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources with a $290,000 grant that will go toward improving the Washington County park.
The grant is a part of the Semiquincentennial Grant Program that commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding.
“We’re pleased to receive this federal grant for Lizard Mound State Park. The property is rich in cultural history. This funding will jumpstart enhancements to the site to balance archaeological protection with visitor amenities,” said Steve Schmelzer, Wisconsin State Park system director.
Some enhancements on the 32-acre property will include removing hazardous trees, controlling invasive plants and rerouting walking trails.
This work will help better protect one of the nation’s most well-preserved Native American effigy mound sites in the park. The site has 28 Native American burial and effigy mounds that were constructed between 750 and 1250 AD. Effigy forms are said to represent spiritual or animal-like creatures, such as birds, panthers, water spirits and the park’s namesake lizard.
In collaboration with tribal environments and the Wisconsin Historical Society, the DNR said they’re working to educate the public and to continue protecting the exceptional archeological and cultural resources in Wisconsin. Now, the National Park Service grant is helping them do just that.
“Through the Semiquincentennial Grant Program, we are supporting projects that showcase the many places and stories that contributed to the evolution of the American experience,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.
And to the National Park Service, that means telling authentic and complete histories as well as providing opportunities to explore legacies that continue affecting us today.
Wisconsin isn’t the only state to receive this round of grants. Created by Congress in 2020, the grant will support 17 cultural resources preservation projects across 12 states.