Toronto's iconic dog fountain is getting a massive refresh this winter

Toronto's iconic dog fountain is getting a major refresh this winter, as the City prepares to hire a vendor that will repair and repaint the 27 dog sculptures (and the often overlooked but never forgotten, two cats) that make up the centrepiece of Old Town's Berczy Park.

Legendary Canadian landscape architect Claude Cormier (1960-2023) was the mastermind behind the fountain and led the renowned design firm, Claude Cormier + Associés, now known as CCxA, during the overhaul of Berczy Park. The studio is responsible for several major public spaces across Toronto and Montreal, including Sugar Beach and Love Park.

Berczy Park's redesign was officially unveiled in June 2017 after extensive consultation with the Old Town Toronto neighbourhood, and quickly became one of Cormier's most recognizable works throughout his illustrious career.

However, over time, the sculptures in the park have aged, and the once-vivid four-legged friends that surround the two-tiered fountain have faded. Although the fountain itself receives maintenance on a regular basis, this winter will be the first time in eight years that all of the sculptures will be fully repainted.

The sculptures' once-vivid colours have faded over time. Photo: Roy Harris/Shutterstock.com.

The sculptures represent a long list of dog breeds, including the Golden Retriever, Great Dane, Pug, Jack Russell Terrier, and Beagle, to name a few.

The City of Toronto confirmed in a statement to blogTO that it is in the process of securing a vendor to remove, repair, and repaint the dog sculptures over the winter.

The sculptures, which each spray water from their mouths, were originally painted in bright colours. The dogs face a golden bone perched atop the fountain, while one of the park's only cat sculptures stares at two birds sitting on a nearby lamppost.

Locals have long voiced concerns over the sculptures' fading paint and chipped details, and have anxiously been waiting for news of when they would be fully restored.

Photo: mingane/Shutterstock.com.

During the holiday season, the beloved sculptures are also traditionally dressed in hand-knitted scarves made by volunteers with the community group, Friends of Berczy Park. Shaun Pearen, a member of the group, said that since the fountain repairs won't begin before the holidays, the annual tradition will proceed as expected.

"This will be the eighth year that the Friends of Berczy Park drop-in knitting group, and Old Town Toronto BIA, have worked together to keep the pups warm, and give park visitors a smile during the winter months. The scarves are almost ready, so you'll see the pups sporting holiday gear really soon."

Pearen said the community's reaction to the upcoming revitalization has been overwhelmingly positive.

"Based on comments received on social media, several hundred people have responded or commented very enthusiastically about the anticipated restoration work. Many have remarked how Berczy Park, and the whimsical fountain, is a favourite spot to spend time with their kids, visitors, and pets," Pearen told blogTO.

"Prior to the announced repair work, we often received comments from park-goers, asking if and when the dog sculptures would be repaired, to make them look like healthy pups and kittens again."

Friends of Berczy Park is also advocating for a permanent plaque in honour of Cormier, who passed away in Montreal in 2023 at the age of 63.

"We're anxious to hear the outcome of that program, and hopefully City Council will move this initiative forward to acknowledge the remarkable designer who created many unique and beloved public spaces in our city, including Berczy Park," Pearen said.

The City says it will be able to provide timelines on when the repainted sculptures will return to the park after securing a vendor.