Alright gather ’round. Let me tell you about a quirky chapter in Toronto’s history. It involves a herd of moose. Yes you heard right. The Moose in the City project.
Back in the year 2000 Toronto was invaded by moose. Not real ones of course. These were life-sized moose sculptures. There were 326 of them scattered throughout the city. Each moose was decorated by local artists. Imagine turning a corner and seeing a moose painted in vibrant colours.
The Moose in the City project was the brainchild of George Cohon. He was the founder of McDonald’s Canada. He got the idea from a similar display of cows in Chicago. Mayor Mel Lastman supported the project. He appointed Cohon as chairman of the campaign. The goal? To boost tourism civic pride and support local charities.
Moose Productions Inc. made these moose from plastic and foam. Each moose cost $6000. The artists received $1000 for their work. Corporations and individuals sponsored the moose. They chose the locations and themes. Artists painted the moose in diverse styles. Some were realistic others abstract. Some were humorous others political.
From April to October 2000 the moose sculptures became a sensation. Locals and tourists snapped photos. The media covered the story. But not all was peaceful in the moose meadow. Vandalism became a problem. Antlers were a favourite target. They were detachable you see. The city even set up a hotline for moose abuse tips. A website called AntlerWatch.com monitored the moose. Some people were arrested for stealing or damaging the moose.
The Moose in the City project was never meant to be permanent. At the end of the display the moose were auctioned off. The proceeds went to charities. Some moose remained in public places. Parks malls and businesses became their new homes. Others were moved to private residences. A few were donated to other cities. Ottawa Montreal and even Israel received moose.
The project left a lasting impression on Toronto. The Moose in the City became a symbol of Toronto’s spirit and humour. There was even a documentary about the missing moose.
Even today you can spot a few moose sculptures around the city. They stand as reminders of a fun and creative time in Toronto’s history. So keep your eyes peeled. You never know when you might encounter a Moose in the City. It’s a piece of Toronto’s past that continues to bring smiles.