Beaver Statue Hunt in Toronto’s Old Town

Berczy Park in Toronto is known for its fountain featuring dog sculptures spouting water, but now there is a new attraction. A beaver sculpture named Doug has drawn thousands to the park. This is part of the Great Beaver Quest, a World Cup-themed contest in Old Town Toronto.

The quest involves finding 51 beaver statues scattered across Old Town, located about 2.5 miles from Toronto Stadium. The stadium will host six World Cup matches, beginning with the Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina match. With 300,000 visitors expected over three weeks, the hunt aims to engage tourists and introduce them to the neighborhood and its businesses.

Robyn Posner from the Business Improvement Area emphasized the event’s family-friendly nature. “We anticipate it will attract visitors looking for activities to enjoy with their kids,” she explained.

The 49 nearly 4-feet-high resin fiberglass beavers represent the World Cup nations. Two beavers symbolize FIFA and all competing nations. Each beaver is hand-painted by local artists. Doug, a Canadian beaver, wears a soccer uniform and a red flannel shirt.

Beavers are positioned in various locations in the neighborhood, including parks, sidewalks, and indoor spaces. For instance, Norway’s beaver peers through an office building lobby window. Each beaver features a QR code, linking visitors to a digital scavenger hunt. High scorers and randomly drawn participants win weekly prizes.

The contest runs until August 16. Afterward, the beavers will be auctioned for charity. Since its launch on June 1, 4,500 participants have taken part.

When asked about choosing beavers for the theme, Posner responded: “They’re Canada’s national animal, and we found them adorable and suitable for the event.”