Toronto’s Beaver Quest Adds Fun to World Cup Festivities

Berczy Park in Toronto is famous for its fountain adorned with dog sculptures. Now, it has a new attraction. A sculpture of a beaver, nicknamed Doug, has become part of a World Cup-themed contest.

Thousands have already visited the park to see Doug. This is part of the Great Beaver Quest, a challenge to find 51 beaver statues in Old Town Toronto. These statues are spread throughout the neighborhood.

Robyn Posner from the Business Improvement Area said, “We expect visitors from out of town to enjoy this. It’s family-friendly and easy to join.”

Old Town is located about 2.5 miles from Toronto Stadium, which is hosting six World Cup matches. As Toronto prepares for an estimated 300,000 visitors over three weeks, the Beaver Quest aims to engage tourists while they explore the neighborhood and its businesses.

The goal was to draw people to this area, to come and experience what it’s like being in Old Town and to meet up with some like-minded people, Posner said.

The statues, nearing four feet in height, represent World Cup nations. Two Canadian-themed beavers exist; one is Doug, dressed in a Canadian soccer uniform under a red flannel shirt. The rest represent nations, FIFA, and a combined global representation.

These beavers are placed in various spots, from parks to office lobbies, each with a QR code for a digital scavenger hunt. Competitors can win weekly prizes for top scores and through random drawings.

Starting June 1, the contest runs until August 16, culminating in a charity auction of the beavers. By Tuesday, 4,500 people had participated.

Why beavers? Posner remarked, “Because it’s Canada’s national animal, and we thought they were super cute.”